Sickle Cell Anemia in Pregnancy

Sickle cell anemia, also called sickle cell disease, is an inherited condition that causes sickling of red blood cells. These sickled cell aren’t able to carry oxygen effectively to tissues in the body. As a result of lack of oxygen to tissues and damage to vessels by the sickled cells, patients with the disease experience pain crises and organ damage (including heart attacks and strokes). Sickle cell anemia is most commonly found in African Americans and can cause several complications in pregnancy.  About 1:12 Black people are asymptomatic carriers for the sickle cell trait and might not even know it! Listen to this episode to find out more about your pregnancy risk if you have the disease and the risk of the disease to your unborn baby if you are a carrier.  Make sure to share with friends as well!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.