HELLP Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

HELLP syndrome is a life-threatening pregnancy complication that is characterized by hemolysis (H), elevated liver enzymes (EL), and a low platelet count (LP). According to a study by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, nearly 0.5–0.9 percent of pregnancies are affected by this syndrome, which usually develops in the later stages of pregnancy or postpartum. It is typically another variant of preeclampsia. It impacts almost 10-20 percent of women experiencing severe preeclampsia. 

Read this article to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of HELLP syndrome.

It is extremely critical to recognize the early symptoms to ensure both the mother's and the baby's safety. Some of the common signs of this condition include

While the actual reason behind this syndrome is not yet known, several factors may contribute towards it. Some of the possible causes include

HELLP is typically a severe form of preeclampsia, and women suffering from preeclampsia are at a significant risk of this syndrome.

If anyone in your family has had HELLP syndrome, you’re probably at a higher risk.

Disorders, such as antiphospholipid syndrome, which results in blood clotting concerns, are also believed to be linked with an increased risk of getting this syndrome.

It is believed that issues related to the vascular system result in their improper functioning, which may contribute to HELLP syndrome during pregnancy.

Obesity is a significant risk factor for both HELLP syndrome and preeclampsia.

Preexisting conditions such as hypertension are also associated with an increased risk of this syndrome.

Since the symptoms are quite typical pregnancy-related symptoms, it becomes difficult to identify the condition by the early signs. To diagnose, your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests like hemolysis, LFT, and platelet count. This is because a low RBC count, a low platelet count, and a high enzyme level may indicate the presence of the condition. Alternatively, urinalysis for testing protein levels in the urine can too help in confining the presence of preeclampsia. The healthcare provider may also recommend a CT scan or ultrasound if he suspects any other condition.

Immediate treatment of HELLP syndrome is necessary to ensure both mother’s and baby’s safety. Therefore, the treatment varies depending on the phase of pregnancy and its severity.

If the severity of the condition is high and the pregnancy is beyond 34 weeks, immediate delivery is considered to avoid any further pregnancy complications. However, if the condition is worsening or the baby is in distress, a C-section delivery is called for at the earliest.

If the woman has not reached a gestation phase of 34 weeks and an immediate delivery has been considered, medication such as corticosteroids is administered to aid in maturing the baby’s lungs. Antihypertensives are also used to control high blood pressure and reduce the risks of strokes. In some cases, when the woman is suffering from preeclampsia too, seizures can occur too. Therefore, magnesium suflate is often given to reduce the risk of seizures.

If the platelet count is extremely low, a platelet transfusion is recommended. However, if there is severe anemia or hemolysis, a blood transfusion is considered necessary.

HELLP syndrome is a serious and life-threatening condition that has extreme outcomes, including severe maternal and fetal health complications. Therefore, if you suspect any early signs, it is important to reach out to your healthcare provider at the earliest.