CARDIAC MANIFESTATIONS OF SICKLE-CELL-ANE MIA IN INFANTS AND MATERNALANEMIA OF PREGNANCY

Among 23 patients monitored for severe anemia during the third trimest er of pregnancy, 14 had the sickle cell trait (hemoglobin AS : HbAS) a nd gave birth to seven neonates with homozygous sickle cell anemia (Hb SS), four neonates with the sickle cell trait (HbAS), and three neonat es with normal hemoglobin (HbAA). Development of the first manifestati ons of sickle cell anemia, including cardiac enlargement, was monitore d in the seven HbSS neonates. Potential relationships between maternal anemia during late pregnancy and early hemolytic and iron deficiency anemia in sickle cell neonates are discussed. These factors are respon sible for the cardiac changes which are typical of anemia and for the cardiac enlargement seen in sickle cell patients. However, the time ne eded for cardiac enlargement to develop is probably influenced by gene tic, biological, and/or environmental factors.