Pauline A., 21

Pauline is the first-born in a family of two children. She lives with her mother and younger sibling in a two-room mud-walled house. After completing Form Four in 2024, she was unable to join college because her family could not afford the fees. She is currently unemployed and depends on her mother, a casual labourer, who is the family's sole breadwinner. In her free time, Pauline enjoys listening to music and hopes to become a nurse if given the opportunity. Pauline, a known patient with sickle cell disease, had generally been well apart from occasional episodes of fatigue, which she assumed were part of her condition. One Wednesday, she suddenly developed severe pain in both knees while sitting outside her home. She rested, hoping the pain would improve, but later found herself unable to walk. Her mother sought help from a neighbour with a motorcycle, who transported Pauline to the nearest health centre. Following assessment and investigations, she was found to be pregnant and was diagnosed with a sickle cell crisis during pregnancy. Due to the high-risk nature of her condition, she was referred to Siaya County Referral Hospital for specialized care. As the family was unable to meet the treatment costs, the healthcare team linked Pauline to Helpster Charity for medical support.

The prognosis is guarded but favorable with timely multidisciplinary management. Sickle cell crisis during pregnancy is a high-risk condition that can lead to serious maternal and fetal complications if not promptly treated; however, with appropriate medical and obstetric care, most patients recover and achieve a favorable pregnancy outcome.