Effects of postpartum corticosteroids in patients with HELLP syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of corticosteroid treatment on the postpartum recovery of parturients with HELLP syndrome.


METHODS
Thirty cases with HELLP syndrome were randomly assigned to a study or a control group, each including 15 patients. A total dose of 30 mg intravenous dexamethasone was given to the study group during the 36 h following the childbirth, while the control group did not receive any steroid medication. Arterial blood pressure, urine output, hematocrit ratio, platelet count, serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and uric acid levels were monitored during the first 48 h postpartum. The data were analyzed by unpaired t-test, chi2 or Fisher's exact tests.


RESULTS
Before the treatment, no significant difference was observed between the two groups. The study group showed statistically significant improvement in mean arterial blood pressure, mean serum aspartate aminotransferase level, mean urine volume per hour and mean platelet count (P < 0.05). Length of hospitalization was also shorter in the study group (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Early postpartum high-dose corticosteroid treatment accelerates the recovery and shortens the hospitalization of the parturients with HELLP syndrome.
Yalcin
O T
OT
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osmangazi University School of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey.
Sener
T
T
Hassa
H
H
Ozalp
S
S
Okur
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone