HELLP syndrome

HELLP syndrome
SpecialtyObstetrics
SymptomsFeeling tired, retaining fluid, headache, nausea, upper abdominal pain, blurry vision, seizures[1]
ComplicationsDisseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), placental abruption, kidney failure, pulmonary edema[1]
Usual onsetLast 3 months of pregnancy or shortly after childbirth[1]
TypesComplete, incomplete[2]
CausesUnknown[1]
Risk factorsPreeclampsia, eclampsia, previously having HELLP, mother older than 25 years
Diagnostic methodBlood tests[2]
Differential diagnosisViral hepatitis, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, cholangitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome[2]
TreatmentDelivery of the baby as soon as possible, management of blood pressure[1][2]
Prognosis<1% risk of death (mother); 7.3% to 11.9% risk of death (child)[3]
Frequency~0.7% of pregnancies[2]

HELLP syndrome is a complication of pregnancy; the acronym stands for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count.[1] It usually begins during the last three months of pregnancy or shortly after childbirth.[1] Symptoms may include feeling tired, retaining fluid, headache, nausea, upper right abdominal pain, blurry vision, nosebleeds, and seizures.[1] Complications may include disseminated intravascular coagulation, placental abruption, and kidney failure.[1]

The cause is unknown.[1] The condition occurs in association with pre-eclampsia or eclampsia.[1] Other risk factors include previously having the syndrome and a mother older than 25 years.[1] The underlying mechanism may involve abnormal placental development.[4] Diagnosis is generally based on blood tests finding signs of red blood cell breakdown (lactate dehydrogenase greater than 600 U/L), an aspartate transaminase greater than 70 U/L, and platelets less than 100×109/l.[2] If not all the criteria are present, the condition is incomplete.[2]

Treatment generally involves delivery of the baby as soon as possible.[1] This is particularly true if the pregnancy is beyond 34 weeks of gestation.[2] Medications may be used to decrease blood pressure and blood transfusions may be required.[1]

HELLP syndrome occurs in about 0.7% of pregnancies and affects about 15% of women with eclampsia or severe pre-eclampsia.[5][2] Death of the mother is uncommon (< 1%).[1][3] Outcomes in the babies are generally related to how premature they are at birth.[1] The syndrome was first named in 1982 by American gynaecologist Louis Weinstein.[2]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "HELLP syndrome". Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program. 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Haram K, Svendsen E, and Abildgaard U (February 2009). "The HELLP syndrome: clinical issues and management. A Review". BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 9: 8. doi:10.1186/1471-2393-9-8. PMC 2654858. PMID 19245695.
  3. ^ a b Odze, Robert D.; Goldblum, John R. (2009). Surgical Pathology of the GI Tract, Liver, Biliary Tract, and Pancreas. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 1240. ISBN 9781416040590.
  4. ^ Cohen, Hannah; O'Brien, Patrick (2015). Disorders of Thrombosis and Hemostasis in Pregnancy: A Guide to Management. Springer. p. 305. ISBN 9783319151205.
  5. ^ "Preeclampsia and Eclampsia". Merck Manuals Consumer Version. March 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.

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