Publication:

HELLP syndrome in eclampsia and its impact on maternal and foetal outcome: a study in a tertiary care centre of rural India

Background Objective of current study was to determine the incidence of HELLP syndrome in patients with eclampsia and its impact on maternal and perinatal outcome.

Methods The prospective study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Burdwan medical college, Burdwan on 727 eclamptic mothers, admitted from January 2012 to December 2013. Clinical data and detailed investigations including complete haemogram, liver function tests and relevant investigations for haemolysis were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using student’s t-test and χ2 test where appropriate. All P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results The incidence of HELLP syndrome among the women of eclamptic mothers was 7.43% (54/727). Among 54 patients; abruptio placentae (12.96%), acute renal failure (11.11%) and cerebral haemorrhage (11.11%) were most frequent maternal complications followed by DIC (3.70%). Maternal and perinatal mortality in HELLP syndrome were 7.40% and 30.5% respectively. SGOT level was higher in complete HELLP and it is statistically significant when compared to incomplete variant (P <0.0004). Complete HELLP syndrome is at increased risk for serious complications when compared to incomplete variety.

Conclusions Classification of HELLP syndrome cases according to the clinical and laboratory findings can help in the monitoring and treatment of the disease.to improve perinatal outcome without increasing maternal morbidity.