title: Fetal haemoglobin and pregnancy in homozygous sickle cell disease.
abstract: The pregnancy related changes in fetal haemoglobin (HbF) have been observed in 152 pregnancies in 125 women with homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease and related to steady state levels in the same individual. Statistically significant increases in the first and second trimesters, were followed by significant falls below steady state levels in the third trimester and postpartum period. Although these corresponded to a mean increase of 0.7% and a mean decrease of 1.6%, much greater changes occurred in some individuals. Mean levels had not returned to steady state values 1 year after delivery. The hormonal changes in pregnancy appear to have profound effects on HbF level in SS disease, the mechanisms of which require further study.
authors: Medical Research Council Laboratories, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.
authors: D T
authors: DT
authors: Dunn
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Poddar
authors: B E
authors: BE
authors: Serjeant
authors: G R
authors: GR
authors: Serjeant
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin