Case study of acute thoracic syndrome of unknown etiology in a pregnant woman

We report a case of acute thoracic syndrome diagnosed in a Congolese pregnant woman in whom sickle-cell trait was detected after admission to hospital for fever and respiratory symptoms. Paraclinical examinations performed to detect the cause of the disease were unhelpful. Chest X-ray showed infiltrates at the base of the lungs. Sickle SCAN test kit confirmed by liquid chromatography associated with mass spectrometry showed that the patient had sickle cell trait Symptoms were quite refractory to treatment. A favorable outcome was observed after expulsion of the fetus. Clinicians should suspect acute thoracic syndrome in pregnant women with sickle-cell trait because outcome can be favorable in the postpartum period.