ArticlePloS one2026
Sickle cell disease and maternity care: A qualitative synthesis of women's and health providers experiences.
Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- New WHO recommendations on the management of sickle-cell disease in pregnancy.Pregnancy (Hoboken, N.J.) · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionSickle Cell Disease (SCD) is one of the most prevalent genetic diseases in the world. For women with SCD or those with Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) reproductive choices not only require consideration of genetic inheritance but also the exacerbation of pregnancy induced SCD symptoms and potential birth complications. To explore these issues a qualitative synthesis was conducted incorporating the views of women with SCD or SCT as well as healthcare professionals working with these women in maternity settings.
methodsDatabase searches were performed in MEDLINE, Embase, MIDIRS, CINAHL Ultimate, PsycINFO, Social Sciences Citation Index, Global Index Medicus and CNKI, as well as reference lists of included studies published January 2000-October 2024. Studies reporting qualitative data from women with SCD or SCT and health professionals providing care to these women during the maternity phase were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Author findings were extracted, coded and synthesised using techniques derived from thematic synthesis. Confidence in the quality, coherence, relevance and adequacy of data underpinning the resulting findings was assessed using GRADE-CERQual.
resultsEleven studies from four different countries (UK, Brazil, France and Uganda) were identified including eight focusing on the views of women, two reporting on the views of health professionals and one exploring both. From these four analytical themes were generated: Beyond the routine of antenatal screening; Myths, misunderstandings and submissiveness; Fear and uncertainty in the face of adversity; The importance of familial and organizational support. Confidence in the results was moderate to good.
conclusionThe synthesis suggests that the intersection of SCD and maternity care is beset with a lack of understanding and inadequate health system support. In some contexts, women endure stigmatization, discrimination and poor quality care. Public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives, particularly amongst healthcare professionals, are urgently required to address these issues.
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