HELLP syndrome in the 18th week of gestation in association with elevated angiotensin AT(1)-receptor autoantibodies.
We present a 24-year-old woman with a twin pregnancy who was with a typical HELLP syndrome at the 18th week of pregnancy. One fetus was dead, while the other was severely growth retarded. Our patient had agonistic autoantibodies directed at the angiotensin AT(1)-receptor. Termination of the pregnancy proved necessary. This report is the first to our knowledge associating HELLP syndrome with angiotensin AT(1)-receptor antibodies. Since the antibodies may have a pathogenic significance, their removal could permit the prolongation of pregnancy in preeclamptic and HELLP syndrome patients.
Fischer
T
T
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Erlangen/Nuremberg, Universitaetsstrasse 21, D-91054, Erlangen, Germany.
Wallukat
G
G
Schneider
M P
MP
Schlembach
D
D
Munz
W
W
Homuth
V
V
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000276:immunology; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000276:immunology; D005865:Gestational Age; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000276:immunology*; D014427:Twins
D001323:Autoantibodies; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin; D008775:Methylprednisolone