Maternal Mortality in Women with Sickle Cell Disease

Result: Hundred twenty-two maternal deaths were reported in Bahrain between 1977 to 2012; 37 (30%) had SCD. The study showed a significant decline in overall Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR). The OR of maternal mortality by SCD was 117. The most important causes of maternal mortality in SCD were embolism 13 (35%), sepsis 9 (24%), hemorrhage 6 (16%) and acute chest syndrome 5 (13.5%). In the non-SCD group, the leading cause of death was embolism 18 (21%), hypertensive disorders 18 (21%), followed by infection 14 (16.5%), hemorrhage 14 (16.5%) and heart disease 10 (11.8%). Conclusion: Sickle cell disease is the leading cause of maternal death in Bahrain. A significant decline in MMR in Bahrain over the years has been revealed, but unfortunately there was no substantial reduction amongst SCD mothers.