title: Norplant use by women with sickle cell disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the safety of Norplant contraceptive implant use by women with mild-moderate homozygous sickle cell disease (HbSS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observation of women pre- and post-insertion of Norplant, with each woman serving as her own control.
  
  
  METHODS
  25 women 18-40 years of age who attended a hospital sickle cell clinic; post-insertion data were available for 23 women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in hematologic parameters including PCV, MCV, reticulocytes, ISCs, HbF and bilirubin; changes in biochemical parameters including HDL cholesterol, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphate, serum creatinine and serum albumin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a mean follow-up of 12.4 months (range 1-29 months), there were no clinically or statistically significant group or individual changes in the hematologic or biochemical parameters after Norplant insertion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Norplant appears to be a safe and appropriate contraceptive for women with mild-moderate HbSS disease.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ladipo
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Falusi
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Feldblum
authors.forename: B O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Osotimehin
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Otolorin
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ojengbede
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants; D016912:Levonorgestrel