Abstract

*John C.O. MBBS, FWACS Orazulike N.MBBS, FWACS, FICS Ijeoma C.MBBS

Sickle cell anaemia is associated with adverse feto-maternal outcome especially in less resource countries with poor obstetrics care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feto-maternal outcome in pregnant women with sickle cell anaemia at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. A retrospective review of 17 pregnancies in 13 patients with sickle cell anaemia over a 10-year period was conducted at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt between January 2003 and December 2012. The data retrieved from the case notes of the patients were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. The mean age of the women with sickle cell anaemia reviewed was 29.3 years. Most (76.5%) of them were booked and delivered at term (70.6%). All the women were anaemic out of which 9 had blood transfusion. Other complications ranged from vaso occlusive crises (100%), through urinary tract infection (64.8%), to lobar pneumonia (17.7%) and hypertensive disorders (17.7%). A maternal mortality rate of 9.7 per 100,000 deliveries was found. The mean birth weight was 2752.9g. The major fetal complications were neonatal jaundice (47.1%) and neonatal sepsis (23.5%).The stillbirth rate was 0.1 per 1000 live births. Sickle cell anaemic patients are at increased risk of adverse feto maternal outcomes in pregnancy especially in less resource centres and therefore should be managed in centres with adequate personnel and facilities.