A Study of HELLP Syndrome among Cases of Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia: Incidence and Correlation of Laboratory Parameters

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence of HELLP syndrome amongst cases of Eclampsia and severe pre eclampsia admitted to our hospital and to study the correlation of laboratory parameters with the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and with each other. Method: 238 cases of severe pre eclampsia and eclampsia were studied for their clinical features, laboratory parameters and outcome. Cases were divided into two groups: non HELLP and complete HELLP for comparison of the maternal and perinatal outcome. The levels of Alanine Transaminase (ALT) were compared against other laboratory parameters for correlation. The mean arterial pressures (MAP) of the patients were computed to investigate whether its levels had any correlation with the derangement of ALT. Statistical analysis was done in SPSS software and spearman’s correlation was run for the laboratory parameters. Results: No significant difference was seen in the maternal and perinatal mortality in the two groups. ALT showed no correlation with MAP as with LDH, platelets and hemoglobin and a weak but significant correlation with the parameters of renal function. Conclusion: Our population shows a low incidence of HELLP syndrome; the hepatic dysfunction correlates with the renal dysfunction without any correlation with the MAP.