Optimal haematocrit and haemoglobin S levels in pregnant women with sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell blood has abnormal rheological characteristics and its viscosity is determined by the level of haemoglobin S and the PCV. Rheological studies have shown that alteration of these parameters will improve oxygen delivery to the tissues. However, there is no agreed policy for optimum levels for haemoglobin S and PCV in the management of pregnancies complicated by sickle cell disease. In this study rheological measurements have been performed on pregnant women with sickle cell disease and compared with women without haemoglobinopathy. Potential oxygen delivery was not found to approach normal levels until very low levels of HbS were achieved. The optimal PCV for women with sickle cell disease was found to be 0.26 compared with 0.33 for normal women.
University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
R J
RJ
Howard
S M
SM
Tuck
T C
TC
Pearson
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010992:Plethysmography, Impedance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000097:blood*
D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle; D010100:Oxygen