©Pregnancy bliss 2008
Sickle Cell Disease and Pregnancy
Sickle Cell Disease is a condition where the hemoglobin is defective. Hemoglobin
is the oxygen-
‘Sickle Cell’: What is in a name?
With Sickle Cell disease, the blood cells carrying this defective hemoglobin tend to acquire a characteristic "sickle" shape in certain unfavorable conditions, hence the name "sickle" cell.
Conditions that lead to the distortion in the shape of the blood cells
This is not a simple straightforward affair. However, any condition which reduces oxygen in the bloodstream could trigger sickling of the cells. These conditions include:
· Infections such as pneumonia and malaria),
· High altitude (so mountaineering is not a suitable hobby)
· Dehydration – and even
· Body cooling
Sickling crisis
When "sickling" happens, the cells cannot move freely within the bloodstream in the smallest blood vessels, and affected areas are denied oxygen as a result. This could be in bones, joints, kidneys or other organs.
Sickling causes severe pain for the sufferer. The pain can be barely controlled by even the strongest painkillers.
Prevent the sickling crises
It is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of a sickling crisis. This is because
some episodes are precipitated by ill-
However, it is possible to minimize this risk by a meticulous observation of general measures which prevent the conditions which favor a crisis.
The sufferer has to ensure that she is not short of oxygen (e.g. unduly stressful physical exercises), dehydrated or exposed to very low temperatures for prolonged periods.
Infection is probably the leading trigger of sickling crises. This is worsened by the fact that dehydration often accompanies infections. Early detection and aggressive treatment of infections is therefore one of the principal treatment measures.
There is also a place for preventative steps in the form of antibiotics.