title: Prophylactic versus selective blood transfusion for sickle cell anaemia during pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sickle cells have a shorter life span than normal red blood cells. It has been suggested that pregnancy complications for women with sickle cell anaemia may be reduced by regular blood transfusions. The aim is to maintain haemoglobin at 60-70% of the normal total.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this review was to assess the effects of a policy of routine blood transfusion for pregnant women with sickle cell disease with a policy of selective transfusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register was searched.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acceptably controlled trials of blood transfusion in pregnant women with sickle cell disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligibility, trial quality assessment and data extraction were done by one reviewer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One trial involving 72 women was included. Half the women received blood transfusion only if haemoglobin fell below 6g% and the other half received two units of blood every week for three weeks, or until haemoglobin level was 10-11g%. A policy of selective transfusion reduced the number of transfusions required at the expense of more frequent pain crises.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about the prophylactic use of blood transfusion for sickle cell anaemia during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, PO Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe. kmahomed@healthnet.zw
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mahomed
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000517:prevention & control*