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Orton Lungu: Navigating High-Risk Pregnancy in Women Living With Sickle Cell Disease
Orton Lungu/LinkedIn
Jun 21, 2026, 14:23

Orton Lungu: Navigating High-Risk Pregnancy in Women Living With Sickle Cell Disease

Orton Lungu, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Resident at Ministry of Health of Zambia, shared on LinkedIn:

”As we comemorated the world Sickle Cell Disease.

What is Sickle-cell disease?

This is a serious inherited blood disorder caused by a mutation in the HBB gene, leading to abnormal, sickle-shaped red blood cells that block blood flow and cause severe health complications.

It affects more than 7.74 million people globally, with 515 000 new births, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for nearly 80% of global cases.

How does Sickle Cell Disease affect pregnancy and how does pregnancy affect Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle Cell Disease affects both the mother’s and foetal or neonatal outcomes.

It is associated with a higher risk of maternal morbidity and mortality.

Higher risk of still birth, prematurity and intra-uterine growth restriction.

Pregnancy in women living with Sickle Cell Disease is a high risk pregnancy and needs closer follow-up.

The dehydration due to Nausea and Vomiting of pregnancy can precipitate or exacerbate vaso-occlusive crises.

Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state and the dehydration or the pregnancy increases the risk of venous thrombo-embolism.”

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