Objective:

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the clinical features and laboratory parameters affect maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancies complicated with HELLP syndrome.

Material and Methods:

The medical records of pregnant patients complicated with HELLP syndrome were analyzed retrospectively between June 01, 2003 and June 01, 2010. The demographic data, medical history, admission symptoms, clinical and laboratory findings and recovery time were evaluated. The adverse maternal outcomes including eclampsia, placental abruption, disseminated intravascular coagulation, postpartum hemorrhage, pulmonary complications, cerebral edema and visual loss were recorded. Fetal growth restriction, necessity for neonatal intensive care unit admission and perinatal mortality were recorded as an adverse fetal outcome.

Results:

The incidence of HELLP syndrome was 0.52%. The mean age of the patients was 28.93±7.90 (range 17-45). HELLP syndrome was diagnosed on average in the 33.68±4.41th (ranged 24-40) week of gestation. Eighteen cases (40.9%) were nullipara and twenty-six cases (59.1%) multipara. The most common complications were eclampsia (40.9%) and abruption placenta (15.9%). Pregnancy was terminated within 48 hours in all patients. The rate of cesarean section was 90.9%. Perinatal mortality rate in HELLP syndrome was 31.8%. There was no maternal mortality.

Conclusion:

Neither clinical characteristics nor laboratory parameters was found effective for prediction of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.

Keywords: HELLP syndrome, preeclampsia, maternal outcome, fetal outcome