The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a resource to aid women with sickle cell disease (SCD) who are pregnant, according to an announcement.
The global guideline, “WHO recommendations on the management of sickle-cell disease during pregnancy, childbirth and the interpregnancy period,” aims to combat “a critical and growing health challenge that can have life-threatening consequences for both women and babies.” WHO hopes the guidance will improve quality of care for these patients.
The document has over 80 pages with a variety of recommendations.
Key points:
· Pain management
· “Folic acid and iron supplementation, including adjustments for malaria-endemic areas”
· Curbing blood clots and viruses
· “Use of prophylactic blood transfusions”
· Surveillance
WHO calls for “respectful, individualized care, adapted according to women’s unique needs, medical histories and preferences.”
