Ophthalmic manifestations of 107 cases with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To present various ophthalmologic disorders in a clinical series of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome cases.


METHODS
This is a prospective clinical study performed between 2002 and 2005. One hundred seven HELLP patients attended in either Departments of Ophthalmology or Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey were evaluated.


RESULTS
Mean age was 25.5 (22-36 years). Mean levels were 2.5 gravidity, 1.3 parity, 55,200/mm3 platelet counts, 308.7 U/l aspartate transaminase, 255.4 U/l alanine transaminase, and 1711.6 U/I lactate dehydrogenase. Four patients died (3.7%) despite the proper treatments. Cortical blindness was observed in 3 cases (2.7%), serous retinal detachments in 4 (3.7%), and mild hypertension changes in 18 (16%).


CONCLUSIONS
Ophthalmic complications are possible during and after this syndrome. Almost all ophthalmologic changes recover after delivery by cesarean section, nevertheless, it is essential that ophthalmologists should be aware of retinal disorders when this fatal complication of pregnancy is encountered.
Erbagci
Ibrahim
I
Department of Ophthalmology, Gaziantep University Medical School, Gaziantep, Turkey. ierbagci@yahoo.com
Karaca
Mehmet
M
Ugur
Mete G
MG
Okumus
Seydi
S
Bekir
Necdet A
NA
D000328:Adult; D019575:Blindness, Cortical / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D017359:HELLP Syndrome; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*