title: Prognosis of children born to mothers with HELLP-syndrome.
abstract: In literature there have been differences in the assessment of the outcome of children born to mothers with HELLP syndrome. In a retrospective study we investigated six annual groups (1989-1994) at the Perinatal Center in Erlangen (11,235 births, 68 children of mothers with HELLP syndrome), 53 children were treated in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The control group (n = 219) consisted of a complete age group in our NICU. The gestational age (mean 33 weeks, p < 0.003) and the birth weight (mean 1671 g, p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the HELLP group. No significant differences were detected with respect to the frequency of leucocytopenia (p = 0.518) and thrombocytopenia (p = 0.215). Despite a relatively high rate (37.7%) of RDS there was only a significant tendency to the disadvantage of HELLP children (p = 0.075). There was no difference in frequency of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) (p = 0.566). Infections were diagnosed less frequently in HELLP children (p = 0.042). Mortality in the control group was higher only as a tendency (p = 0.07). The follow-up examinations of the neurological development covered 31 of the 53 treated children. After 6-72 months (median 24 months), 90.3% of these children showed normal development or only minor disabilities. The prognosis of children of mothers with HELLP syndrome is not as bad as has been assumed so far.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kändler
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kevekordes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zenker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kandler
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beinder
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harms
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D008423:Maternal Age; D009420:Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014469:Umbilical Arteries