The HELLP-syndrome; maternal-fetal outcome and follow up of infants.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate maternal-fetal outcome of infants born after pregnancies complicated by (H)ELLP syndrome.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients with the HELLP or ELLP syndrome. Maternal and perinatal complications were recorded. The follow-up period of the infants was at least 18 months. A multivariate regression analysis was done to define the variables mostly contributing to adverse outcome.


RESULTS
No maternal deaths occurred. Eighteen infants of the HELLP group and six infants of the ELLP group died; total perinatal mortality was 17.6%. After 18 months four infants had major handicaps, making a total adverse outcome of 22.8%. Statistical analysis shows early gestational age, prolongation of pregnancy and administration of antihypertensive medication as the factors influencing outcome of the infants most.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolongation of pregnancy contributed to better perinatal outcome, while administration of antihypertensive medication and early gestational age were related to a more unfavorable outcome.
Roelofsen
Anne C
AC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Perinatal Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
van Pampus
Maria G
MG
Aarnoudse
Jan G
JG
D000037:Abruptio Placentae / Q000150:complications; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents