Sickle cell disease and pregnancy in Bahrain

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Hematology
• Public Health

Background:

• Sickle cell disease (SCD) presents significant risks during pregnancy.
• Understanding the specific morbidity and outcomes in diverse populations is essential for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the morbidity and outcomes of pregnancies complicated by homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD) in Bahrain.
• To compare outcomes with a control group and identify key complications.

Main Methods:

• A controlled study analyzed pregnancies of women with SCD delivered between 1998-2002 in Bahrain.
• Compared outcomes such as abortion rates, birth weight, preterm delivery, and maternal deaths with a control group.

Main Results:

• Women with SCD had higher spontaneous abortion rates (32% vs. 12%) and preterm deliveries (25.9% vs. 12%).
• Lower birth weights and increased intrauterine growth restriction were observed in the SCD group.
• Vaso-occlusive crises were the most common cause of admission (42.2%), with 4 maternal deaths directly related to SCD.

Conclusions:

• Mortality, morbidity, and perinatal loss remain considerable for women with SCD in Bahrain.
• A multidisciplinary team approach is necessary to manage SCD pregnancy complications effectively.
• Improved management strategies are needed to reduce adverse outcomes in high-risk pregnancies.