WHO Releases First Global Guideline for Managing Sickle Cell Disease During Pregnancy

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched its first global guideline to help manage Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) during pregnancy. This announcement was made on World Sickle Cell Day, celebrated every year on June 19.

The 2025 theme is: “Global Action, Local Impact: Empowering Communities for Effective Self-Advocacy.”

What is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle Cell Disease is a group of inherited blood disorders where red blood cells become hard and shaped like sickles (or crescents), instead of being soft and round. These sickle-shaped cells can block blood flow, causing:

• Severe pain

• Anemia (low blood count)

• Frequent infections

• Serious health emergencies like strokes, organ failure, or sepsis

Why Pregnancy Is Risky

During pregnancy, a woman’s body needs more oxygen and nutrients. This puts extra pressure on the body, which can worsen health problems linked to SCD.

WHO says women with SCD are 4 to 11 times more likely to die during pregnancy compared to women without the condition. They're also more likely to face problems like:

• Pre-eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure)

• Premature birth

• Stillbirth

• Babies born too small

What the New Guideline Offers

Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Department, said this new guideline is meant to improve the chances of a safe pregnancy and delivery for women with SCD.

“With quality care, women with SCD can have safe pregnancies and healthy babies,” she said.

The WHO guideline includes over 20 medical recommendations, such as:

• Using folic acid and iron supplements (with changes in malaria zones)

• Managing pain and sickle cell crises

• Preventing infections and blood clots

• Offering blood transfusions when needed

• Frequent checkups for both mother and baby

It also stresses the importance of respectful, personalized care, tailored to each woman’s needs and background. The guideline highlights the need to fight stigma and discrimination that people with SCD often face in healthcare.

A Growing Global Health Issue

Dr Allotey shared that about 7.7 million people currently live with SCD, and the number has grown by over 40% since 2000. The disease causes more than 375,000 deaths each year.

SCD is most common in:

• Sub-Saharan Africa (about 80% of all cases)

• The Middle East

• South Asia

• The Caribbean

Due to migration and better life expectancy, more people with SCD are living longer and having families. That means more healthcare workers need to understand how to care for them during pregnancy.

Dr Doris Chou, the lead author of the new guideline, said it’s important for women with SCD to talk to doctors early in pregnancy to get the best care possible.