Abstract
HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome is a variant of severe preeclampsia which is associated with substantial maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. As with preeclampsia, the etiology and pathogenesis of HELLP syndrome is not completely understood. An increase in vascular thrombosis and activation of the coagulation system may be important in the clinical presentation of this disorder. Laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of HELLP syndrome have been classically described but lack uniformity among different institutions. Aggressive management of HELLP syndrome with expeditious delivery appears to yield the lowest perinatal mortality rates. Conservative or expectant management has been associated with higher stillbirth rates with antenatal corticosteroids not causing resolution of the laboratory abnormalities. Resolution of laboratory abnormalities in HELLP syndrome runs a protracted course over several days after delivery. Despite nearly two decades since HELLP syndrome has been defined as a clinical entity, treatment for the disorder still remains delivery of the patient.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Curtin, W., Weinstein, L. A Review of HELLP Syndrome. J Perinatol 19, 138–143 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7200165
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7200165
This article is cited by
-
HELLP or Help: A Real Challenge
The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India (2015)
-
Association of Inflammatory Cytokines, Lipid Peroxidation End Products and Nitric Oxide with the Clinical Severity and Fetal Outcome in Preeclampsia in Indian Women
Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry (2014)
-
Increased plasma levels of CK-18 as potential cell death biomarker in patients with HELLP syndrome
Cell Death & Disease (2013)
-
Comparison of placental pathology between severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2012)
-
Obesity and oxidative stress: a direct link to preeclampsia?
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2011)