Managing pregnancy in women with sickle cell disease: a focus on physiopathology, risks, and multidisciplinary care

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a significant global public health issue due to its prevalence and the associated acute and chronic complications. In high-income countries, the infant mortality rate has fallen to below 5%; this enables girls with SCD to reach adulthood and thus (potentially) become mothers. In this context, we address crucial aspects of the pathophysiology and management of pregnancy in women with SCD, since both the mother and the fetus face substantial risks. In France, there is now a shift toward the provision of multidisciplinary, personalized care by specifically trained professionals at hemoglobinopathy reference centers.

Keywords

Fetal complications / genetic counseling / hemoglobinopathy / maternal morbidity / multidisciplinary care / pregnancy management / sickle cell disease / transfusion therapy

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