Norplant® use by women with sickle cell disease

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of Norplant® contraceptive implant use by women with mild-moderate homozygous sickle cell disease (HbSS). METHOD: Prospective observation of women pre- and post-insertion of Norplant®, with each woman serving as her own control. Participants: 25 women 18–40 years of age who attended a hospital sickle cell clinic; post-insertion data were available for 23 women. Outcome measures: Changes in hematologic parameters including PCV, MCV, reticulocytes, ISCs, HbF and bilirubin; changes in biochemical parameters including HDL cholesterol, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphate, serum creatinine and serum albumin. RESULT: With a mean follow-up of 12.4 months (range 1–29 months), there were no clinically or statistically significant group or individual changes in the hematologic or biochemical parameters after Norplant® insertion. CONCLUSION: Norplant® appears to be a safe and appropriate contraceptive for women with mild-moderate HbSS disease.