HELLP syndrome

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Preeclampsia

HELLP syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur in pregnant women who have:

• H -- hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells)
• EL -- elevated liver enzymes
• LP -- low platelet count

A cause for HELLP syndrome has not been found.

HELLP syndrome occurs in about 1 to 2 out of 1,000 pregnancies, and in 10-20% of pregnant women with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia.

Most often HELLP develops before the pregnancy is 37 weeks along. Sometimes it can develop in the week after the baby is born.

Many women have high blood pressure and are diagnosed with preeclampsia before they develop HELLP syndrome. However, in some cases, HELLP symptoms are the first warning of preeclampsia and the condition is misdiagnosed as:

• Flu or other viral illness
• Gallbladder disease
• Hepatitis
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
• Lupus flare
• Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Review Date: 11/21/2010
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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