Reproductive Options and Prenatal Testing for Women with Sickle Cell Disease

Webinar Date: 4/14/22
Estimated Time to complete: 1 hour
Format: Archived Webinar
Target Audience: Primary Care Physicians, Specialty Physicians (Ob/Gyn, Oncology, Hematology), Physician Assistants, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses in Specialty Areas (Ob/Gyn, Oncology, Hematology)

Program Description: 
Women with SCD face many health-related challenges, particularly in relation to pregnancy where they are recognized to have high-risk pregnancies mainly because of fetal risks. However, these women also face very serious maternal challenges, such as an increased risk of experiencing both medical complications (infections and thromboembolic events) and pregnancy-related complications (preeclampsia, eclampsia, preterm labor, placental abruption, and fetal growth restriction). The risk for experiencing these complications is significantly higher than in other women. Women with SCD also have higher rates of cesarean deliveries. In the US, SCD complicates 0.1% of pregnancies but accounts for 1% of all maternal deaths. Women with SCD are at risk of having a child with SCD if their partner also carries the sickle cell or other hemoglobinopathy trait. These challenging reproductive life-stage issues for women with sickle cell disease heighten their need for preconception counseling and for care by physicians and healthcare providers who understand and can apply the optimal treatment and management for women with SCD. Additionally, women with SCD and SCT deserve an understanding of the genetics and inheritance patterns and the associated risks, as well as the full range of available reproductive options. 

Learning Objectives:

After completing this educational activity, participants should be able to: 

• Describe the family planning challenges for women with SCD
• Discuss the process and concerns with preimplantation genetic diagnosis
• Discuss the available and full range of reproductive options for families with SCD
• Identify patients with SCD who could benefit from early discussion of reproductive options and fertility/ovarian preservation

Moderator:
Andra H. James, MD, MPH
Consulting Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Duke University Medical Center

Faculty:
Kristin Paulyson Nunez, MS, CGC
Senior Genetic Counselor
Women and Children's Services, Duke Fetal Diagnostic Center
Duke Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center

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