| Sickle cell anemia and pregnancy | 366.000000000000 | Sickle cell anemia and pregnancy | Sickle cell anemia and pregnancy | S | English | Pregnancy | Adult (19+) | Body | Reproductive system | Conditions and diseases | Prenatal
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2009-09-11T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 10.5000000000000 | 53.0000000000000 | 731.000000000000 | | Flat Content | Health A-Z | <p>This page describes the effects of sickle cell anemia, risks of sickle cell anemia to the pregnant woman and the unborn baby, and management of the condition during pregnancy.</p> | <p>Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder where both parents carry the gene for the sickle-shaped hemoglobin. Because it is genetic, women who carry the gene for sickle cell anemia are at risk of having a baby with the disease.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul><li>Sickle cell anemia is a disorder of the red blood cells which causes blood vessels to become blocked.</li>
<li>Sickle cell anemia in pregnant women can cause complications including premature birth or miscarriage.</li>
<li>The risk of the baby inheriting the disease is increased if both parents carry the gene.</li>
<li>Pregnant women with sickle cell anemia will require medical care from an obstetrician and health-care team specialized in the condition.</li></ul> | <p>Sickle cell anemia is a disorder of the red blood cells. Red blood cells carry a protein called hemoglobin, which brings oxygen to all the parts of the body. People with sickle cell anemia carry sickle-shaped hemoglobin cells that tend to get stuck in the smaller blood vessels. These blood vessels can become blocked, which stops oxygen from getting to the places where it is needed.</p>
<figure class="asset-c-100"><span class="asset-anim-title">Sickle cell blood flow</span>
<div class="asset-animation asset-cv-animation">
<iframe src="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Style%20Library/akh/animation/Sickle%20cell%20blood%20flow/SickleCell_CANVAS_EN.html"></iframe> </div>
<figcaption class="asset-image-caption">Healthy red blood cells are soft, round and flexible. Sickled red blood cells are sticky and hard and can block blood flow.</figcaption>
<p class="sr-only">An animation showing how sickle cells stick together and block blood flow.</p> </figure>
<p>Although sickle cell anemia is most common in the black population, it can occur in Greeks, Italians, Indians, and the Middle Eastern population.</p><p>When organs do not receive enough oxygen, they can become damaged and there is severe pain. These painful attacks are called "crises."</p>
<figure class="asset-c-80"><span class="asset-image-title">Sickle cell heredity</span>
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Sickle_cell_heredity_MED_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Chromosome distribution chart for a male and a female both carrying the sickle cell gene in one chromosome" />
<figcaption class="asset-image-caption">In this example, both parents are carriers of the sickle cell trait, but they do not have the disease themselves. If a baby inherits only one copy of the gene, they will not have the disease (but will be a carrier). If a baby inherits two copies of the gene they will have sickle cell disease.</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Risks of sickle cell anemia to the pregnant woman</h2><p>Pregnant women with sickle cell anemia are classified as high-risk. Pregnancy adds stress to the body and increases the chance of a sickle cell crisis. Sickle cell anemia in pregnancy also increases the risk of certain complications such as miscarriage, a type of high blood pressure called pregnancy-induced hypertension, and premature birth. However, thanks to modern medicine, pregnant women with sickle cell anemia have a good chance of having a safe and healthy pregnancy.</p><h2>Risks of sickle cell anemia to the unborn baby</h2><p>Women with sickle cell anemia are at risk of having a baby with the disease. If you have sickle cell anemia and you are thinking of becoming pregnant, your partner should also be tested to see if they carry the sickle cell gene. The risk of the baby inheriting the disease is increased if both parents carry the gene. If your pregnancy comes as a surprise, ask your partner to get tested for the gene as soon as possible. If you are both carriers, you may want to consult a genetic counsellor to determine your options.</p><p>If you are pregnant and find out that both you and your partner carry the sickle cell gene, you may want to undergo special prenatal testing to determine if the unborn baby has been affected. Newborn babies should be screened for sickle cell anemia at birth. If you or your partner carry the gene for sickle cell anemia, find out if this screening test will be available for your baby when they are born.</p><h2>Management of sickle cell anemia during pregnancy</h2><p>Pregnant women with sickle cell anemia require top-notch medical care and more frequent medical visits than the average pregnant woman. If you are pregnant and have sickle cell anemia, you should have an obstetrician who is experienced with sickle cell disease, and they should work in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team skilled in the condition. You may need certain vitamins and iron supplements, and it is possible that you may be given a blood transfusion. Your ability to deliver vaginally should not be affected by your disease.</p><p>For more information, see
<a href="/Article?contentid=745&language=English">Sickle Cell Disease: A Guide for Parents</a>. Although it is written primarily for parents of children with this condition, there is a lot of general information about the disease as well.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Sickle_cell_heredity_MED_ILL_EN.jpg | Sickle cell anemia and pregnancy | | False | | | | | | | | |
