Alim Swarray-Deen, MD, MSc
Nominated From: University of Michigan
Research Site: Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana
Research Area: Maternal Health, Sickle Cell Disease
Primary Mentors: Dr. Cheryl A Moyer, Dr. Samuel A. Oppong
Research Project
Maternal and fetal determinants of preterm delivery amongst pregnant women with sickle cell disease
Preterm birth is a significant complication in 30-40% of pregnant women with sickle cell disease (SCD) and accounts for most neonatal deaths and infant morbidities. Women with SCD have more than a two-fold increased risk of preterm birth compared to women without SCD. However, most studies of this population do not differentiate between spontaneous preterm deliveries and those where labor and delivery were initiated by medical staff for maternal or fetal complications. Sickle cell disease is recognized as a pro-inflammatory disease, and it is associated with a heightened T-helper cell type 1 (Th1) cytokine profile. Given that all of these markers have been linked to immune function and that immune function is known to play a significant role in pregnancy, there is a chance that these markers will reveal novel patterns and correlations. The main aim of this study is to understand the association between maternal inflammatory markers, fetal and placental risk factors for spontaneous preterm delivery in pregnant women with sickle cell disease (SCD).
Research Significance
This study will elucidate risk factors related to preterm birth in pregnant women with sickle cell disease. Identifying potentially modifiable risk factors will guide more extensive multi-institutional interventional studies to improve delivery outcomes in such pregnancies in low-resource settings.
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