Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education
Scientific literature and patient education texts
Fertility challenges for women with sickle cell disease
source: Expert Review of Hematology
year: 2017
authors: Ghafuri DL, Stimpson SJ, Day ME, James A, DeBaun MR, Sharma D
summary/abstract:Sickle cell disease (SCD) represents one of the most common monogenic blood disorders worldwide, with an incidence of over 300,000 newborns affected per year. Reproductive challenges for men and women with SCD have been previously reviewed; however, evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage infertility and increase fecundity are lacking in women with SCD, which is one of the most important factors for quality of life.
Areas covered: This review article summarizes the known risk factors for infertility, low fecundity, and premature menopause related to SCD.
Expert commentary: Women with SCD have unique risk factors that may impact their ability to conceive, including chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, transfusion-related hemochromatosis, and ovarian sickling, causing ischemia and reperfusion injury to the ovary. Contraception is strongly recommended while on hydroxyurea therapy during reproductive years and discontinuing hydroxyurea for family planning and during pregnancy based on teratogenicity in animal studies. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the only curative therapy, sometimes involves conditioning regimens containing alkylating agents and total body irradiation that contribute to infertility and premature ovarian failure. Prior to HSCT or gene therapy, we strongly recommend referral to a reproductive endocrinologist to discuss fertility preservation and surrogacy options for all women with SCD.
organization: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA; Duke University, Durham, USADOI: 10.1080/17474086.2017.1367279
read more full text
Related Content
-
Roland B. Scott Memorial Symposium: I Want Somebody to LoveRoland B. Scott Symposium on Sickle Cell...
-
Association of Antibiotic Choice With Hospital Length of Stay and Risk Factors for Readmission in Patients With Sick...Study objective: We determine the assoc...
-
Sickle cell kidney diseaseYour kidneys normally remove waste from ...
-
Sickle cell gene linked to elevated risk of developing kidney failureNew research indicates that being born w...
-
The Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis CenterThe Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis ...
-
Researchers ID key drivers of heart complications in sickle cell anemiaStudy opens path to earlier diagnosis, t...
-
Virtual Reality Helps Reduce Pain Among Patients With Sickle Cell DiseaseImmersive virtual reality appeared effec...
To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.