Pregnancy | May
During pregnancy, SCD can become more severe and pain, also episodes can occur more frequently. It is important to know that a pregnant woman with SCD is at a higher risk of preterm labor and having a low birth weight baby, hence taking the appropriate measures at all levels is imperative.
CMEs and Enduring Materials are offered.
The objectives addressed:
- Black women are at high risk during pregnancy. How much higher is the risk in sickle cell disease?
- When should a woman be referred to a high risk OB/GYN practice?
- What are the potential risks of medications for women who are considering a pregnancy?
- Should red cell transfusion be considered for women during pregnancy?
Meet our Subject-Matter Expert | Kim Smith-Whitley, M.D.
Site Head, Advisory of Scientific & Clinical Affairs Pfizer
Professor Emeritus, Pediatrics
Perelman School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Smith-Whitley is EVP, Head of Research and Development at Global Blood Therapeutics where she leads the research, development and global medical affairs teams. Prior to joining GBT in May 2021, Dr. Smith-Whitley was the Clinical Director of Hematology and Director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) where her research and clinical work centered on sickle cell disease. She is a former principal investigator for several federally- and private industry-funded clinical research studies including several clinical trials and the current PCORI-sponsored project on transition from pediatric to adult-focused care for sickle cell disease. In the Division of Hematology, she was professor of pediatrics and held the Elias Schwartz Endowed Chair until leaving CHOP this past May. She served for four years as Chief Medical Officer of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) where she continues to serve as a member of the Board.
Meet our Moderator | Keith Quirolo, M.D.
Dr. Quirolo has a degree in biology from San Francisco State University, a degree in nursing from the UCSF School of Nursing, he received his MD degree from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and completed a Fellowship in Transfusion Medicine at UCSF. Dr. Quirolo practiced as an RN for approximately 10 years in pediatric oncology and intensive care in the Bay Area and during medical school at Rainbow Baby and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland Ohio. After his pediatric residency, he entered private pediatric practice in Berkeley for about 10 years. He moved to the sickle cell program at the then-Children’s Hospital Oakland in 1995. He served as the Director of Pediatric Sickle Cell Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland for 20 years. Keith served on the FDA Blood Advisory Committee for two years, and he initiated and directed the Clinical Apheresis Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital for 17 years. Keith has left the practice of medicine and is currently consulting for community-based organizations and other advocacy projects.
You can also watch the recording on the following platforms:
The Ask the Expert sessions are held on the second Friday of each month. For more information, please email us at [email protected].
