What Is HELLP Syndrome? – Being Parents

A condition in pregnancy that poses great risk to the life of both mother and child is called HELLP syndrome.

It is characterized by a series of symptoms that can sometimes lead to preeclampsia or eclampsia as a complication. Given its dangerousness, learn about this disease and pay attention to the symptoms.

Meaning and causes of HELLP syndrome

As its name suggests, translated from English, HELLP stands for: (H, Hemolytic anemia) hemolysis or destruction of red blood cells, (EL, Elevated Liver enzyme): impaired liver function and (LP, Low Plaquet count) : low number of platelets. It is frequently associated with preeclampsia. However, there have been isolated cases without a diagnosis of such a disease.

It is estimated that this condition affects 0.1% of pregnant women and that number reaches 15% in those who have suffered from hypertension. It usually occurs around the third trimester of pregnancy and is more common in the weeks before childbirth.

Experts do not know what causes HELLP syndrome, although there is a greater propensity in the following groups:

• Women who have problems with blood clotting, liver problems and high blood pressure.
• Women over 25 and Caucasian.
• People who have suffered from preeclampsia and eclampsia.
• Women who have had problems in previous pregnancies.

Without a doubt, these risk factors can help determine the presence of this symptom. This is vitally important, as in many cases the diagnosis is mistaken for influenza, hepatitis, lupus or hemolytic anemia, among others.

Symptoms of HELLP syndrome

The symptomatology of HELLP syndrome is very broad and varied in each of the cases presented. It is often confused with preeclampsia or other diseases, so the following signs are generalized:

• Acute and persistent headache, vomiting, nausea with indigestion.
• Tenderness of the abdomen, especially in the upper right part, as it involves distension of the liver.
• High blood pressure accompanied by changes in vision.
• General discomfort and acute fatigue.
• Generalized edema and protein in the urine.
• In acute cases, there is bleeding from the nose and gums, epilepsy, seizures and muscle pain, among others.

Sometimes the symptoms are likely to be mistaken for those of the flu, so it is recommended that you do a complete blood count. It is also advisable to perform liver enzyme tests in all pregnant women. This, although they have no symptoms.

Diagnostic

To establish the presence of this disease, the doctor will perform blood tests. These will determine possible hemolytic anemia, liver dysfunction or thrombocytopenia – low platelet count – in a pregnant woman or after childbirth.

In addition, this syndrome may or may not be accompanied by hypertension. You can also do tests that determine the value of lactic dehydrogenase and bilirubin.

Once a diagnosis is made, the patient will be admitted to the hospital for frequent monitoring of the mother and baby. The ideal is to stabilize blood levels and ensure immediate medical practice.

In most cases, treatment is rest, and in extreme cases it is necessary to perform a cesarean section and terminate the pregnancy.

Complications of the syndrome

HELLP syndrome can present with fatal complications depending on how early the diagnosis is. The most frequent difficulties depending on the treatment can be:

• Seizures : These are the result of reduced blood flow.
• Bleeding : due to the breakdown of red blood cells which produce anemia and difficulty in clotting.
• Renal failure : retinal detachment, pulmonary edema, liver damage, breathing problems or placental abruption.

The baby is not immune to the consequences of this condition which, in most cases, involves the induction of childbirth or the cesarean section. In some cases, the child will present with fetal distress, blood disorders, low weight, respiratory failure. It is also possible to go until death.

Can HELLP syndrome be prevented?

There is no way to prevent this condition. However, there are measures that can help reduce the propensity to suffer from it. They consist of frequent prenatal check-ups with studies that determine the stability of health. Before pregnancy, it is necessary to exercise, watch your diet and lead a healthy lifestyle.

In conclusion, HELLP syndrome is a serious condition involving a lot of care during pregnancy. A timely diagnosis makes the difference, it is therefore essential to consult a professional.