ABSTRACT
The major haemoglobinopathies are sickle cell disease and thalassaemia. These should be excluded in women of African, Asian or Mediterranean origin. In particular, major haemoglobinopathy should be suspected when there is anaemia in the absence of bleeding in a woman from any of these populations (but haemoglobinopathy is not exclusive to them). A sickle cell crisis may be precipitated or exacerbated by hypoxia/acidosis, dehydration and infection.
