Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2015 Oct;32(4):359-63.
doi: 10.5152/balkanmedj.2015.15777. Epub 2015 Oct 1.

Severe Preeclampsia versus HELLP Syndrome: Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes at <34 and ≥34 Weeks' Gestation

Tuğba Kınay  1 , Canan Küçük  2 , Fulya Kayıkçıoğlu  1 , Jale Karakaya  3
Affiliations

Severe Preeclampsia versus HELLP Syndrome: Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes at <34 and ≥34 Weeks' Gestation

Tuğba Kınay et al. Balkan Med J. 2015 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia and Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelet (HELLP) syndrome are important disorders affecting the health of both the mother and fetus. Prediction of the maternal and perinatal outcomes at early and late gestational age is important for the management of both disorders.

Aims: The purpose of the study was to investigate adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome cases according to gestational age.

Study design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: One hundred and ninety-seven pregnancies with severe preeclampsia and 56 pregnancies with HELLP syndrome were included the study. Clinical characteristics and adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes were noted from medical records. Participants were divided into two groups at <34 and ≥34 weeks' gestation: the severe preeclampsia group and the HELLP syndrome group. The differences between the outcomes in the groups were investigated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t test, Fisher Exact test and Yates' Chi-square test.

Results: Eclampsia was more common in HELLP syndrome cases at <34 weeks' gestation (p 0.028). However, eclampsia rates were statistically similar between groups at ≥34 weeks' gestation. The requirement for blood products transfusion was higher in the HELLP group at all gestational weeks. No statistical difference was found in perinatal outcomes between severe preeclampsia and HELLP groups at less than and more than 34 weeks' gestation.

Conclusion: Eclampsia risk increases in HELLP syndrome, especially at gestations less than 34 weeks. Perinatal morbidity at less than 34 weeks' gestation and mortality were similar in severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome cases at the same gestational age.

Keywords: Blood transfusion; HELLP syndrome; eclampsia; gestational age; preeclampsia.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Steegers EAP, von Dadelszen P, Duvekott JJ, Pijnenborg R. Preeclampsia. Lancet. 2010;376:631–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60279-6. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Sibai BM. Diagnosis, controversies, and management of the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;103:981–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000126245.35811.2a. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Sibai BM, Taslimi MM, el-Nazer A, Amon E, Mabie BC, Ryan GM. Maternal-perinatal outcome associated with the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets in severe preeclampsia-eclampsia. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1986;155:501–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(86)90266-8. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Sibai BM. The HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) : much ado about nothing? Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1990;162:311–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(90)90376-I. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Martin JN, Jr, Rinehart BK, May WL, Magann EF, Terrone DA, Blake PG. The spectrum of severe preeclampsia: comparative analysis by HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets) syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999;180:1373–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9378(99)70022-0. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources