[Clinical and biological characteristics of a group of 54 pregnant women with HELLP syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
The HELLP syndrome is a rare form of preeclampsia with a variable presentation with substantial maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine its clinical and biological characteristics in our hospital.


METHODS
An observational study of all cases of confirmed HELLP syndrome from 1999 to 2002 was carried out.


RESULTS
There were 54 cases of HELLP syndrome. Mean maternal age was 30.06 (16-41) years. 57.4% were primiparous. Mean gestational age at diagnosis of HELLP syndrome was 31.75 (20-41) weeks. Symptoms and signs were dominated by the digestive ones. Hypertension was observed in all cases. 77.8% pregnancies were delivered by caesarean section. Mean birth weight was 1674.52 g (150-3800 g). There were 12 perinatal deaths and one maternal death.


CONCLUSIONS
HELLP syndrome is an uncommon but potentially serious complication of pregnancy which is associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Management should be multidisciplinary and based on strict control by maternal and fetal symptoms.
Vallejo Maroto
Ignacio
I
Unidad de Hipertensión Gestacional, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospitales Universitarios Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain. ivmaroto@hotmail.com
Miranda Guisado
María Luisa
ML
Stiefel García-Junco
Pablo
P
Pamies Andreu
Encarnación
E
Marenco
María Luisa
ML
Castro de Gavilan
Diego
D
Carneado de la Fuente
Joaquín
J
D000328:Adult; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome