Transient postpartum diabetes insipidus associated with HELLP syndrome

Diabetes insipidus in pregnancy has different causes. The association of diabetes insipidus with disturbances of liver function has been reported, however, diabetes insipidus has rarely been reported in HELLP syndrome. We present a 23-year-old primigravida with a singleton gestation complicated by HELLP syndrome who developed postpartum diabetes insipidus. Labor was induced promptly to terminate pregnancy because of intrauterine fetal death and liver dysfunction. 1-deamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin was administered. Diabetes insipidus and liver dysfunction resolved within 2 weeks. Development of diabetes insipidus may result from increased vasopressinase activity mainly caused by deterioration of liver functions caused by HELLP syndrome. In pregnant women with liver disease as a result of any cause, the development of diabetes insipidus should be assessed with particular attention.     

The effects of betamethasone treatment on clinical and laboratory features of pregnant women with HELLP syndrome

Aim  The present study aims to investigate the effects of betamethasone treatment on clinical outcome and laboratory data of pregnant women diagnosed with HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome. Methods  A prospective, randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial was undertaken in a total of 60 pregnant women with HELLP syndrome who were treated at the perinatology department of the study center between January 2005 and February 2008. Betamethasone treatment (intramuscular injection of 12 mg in every 24 h) was given to 30 subjects while remaining 30 subjects received placebo. The treatment and control groups were compared in the aspects of clinical outcome and laboratory data. Results  The alterations in platelet counts, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels of women treated with betamethasone were statistically similar to those of the placebo group. Although there was a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure values of control group (P = 0.04), alterations in systolic blood pressure values were statistically indifferent in both study groups. Hematological and metabolic complications occurred significantly less in women treated with betamethasone (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the percentage of women who received platelet transfusion was significantly higher in the control group (P < 0.005). No case of maternal mortality occurred. Conclusions  The betamethasone treatment has ended up with insignificant alterations in clinical outcomes and laboratory data of women with HELLP syndrome except beneficial effects on metabolic complications and need for platelet transfusion. Further investigation is required to assess the efficiency of betamethasone in management of HELLP syndrome.     

A prospective, randomized trial comparing the efficacy of dexamethasone and betamethasone for the treatment of antepartum HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine whether dexamethasone or betamethasone is superior for the antepartum treatment of HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective, randomized, clinical investigation compared intravenously administered dexamethasone and intramuscularly administered betamethasone in the treatment of gravid women with HELLP syndrome. Efficacy end points included laboratory values (platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase activity, aspartate aminotransferase activity) and clinical parameters (mean arterial pressure, urinary output). RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled in the study, 19 in the dexamethasone arm and 21 in the betamethasone arm. The adjusted time-averaged changes from baseline were significant for aspartate aminotransferase activity (dexamethasone, -20.4 +/- 9.6 U/L; betamethasone, 9.9 +/- 8.9 U/L; P =.029), mean arterial pressure (dexamethasone, -15.6 +/- 1.4 mm Hg; betamethasone, -8.1 +/- 1.4 mm Hg; P <.001), and urinary output (dexamethasone, 12.9 +/- 8.6 mL/h; betamethasone, -11.9 +/- 8.2 mL/h; P =.043). CONCLUSION: Intravenously administered dexamethasone appears to be more effective than intramuscularly administered betamethasone for the antepartum treatment of mothers with HELLP syndrome.     

Is conservative treatment of HELLP syndrome safe?

HELLP syndrome is associated with a high rate of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, and often leads to immediate fetal extraction. However, this condition may occur very early in pregnancy and conservative approaches have been recently proposed. The limits of this approach are discussed with two cases of conservative management of HELLP syndrome complicated by abruptio placentae.     

妊娠并发HELLP综合征66例临床分析

目的探讨妊娠并发HELLP综合征的临床特点及孕产妇和围产儿的预后。方法回顾性分析2005年1月至2009年12月在广州医学院附属第三医院妊娠合并HELLP综合征66例,比较完全性和部分性HELLP患者的实验室指标、入院孕周、终止妊娠时机、围产儿缺氧、出生体重及死亡率等。结果实验室指标:完全性HELLP组血小板计数明显低于部分性HELLP组(P<0.05),乳酸脱氢酶(1651.8±1058.9)U/L则显著高于部分性HELLP组(478.3±266.6)U/L(P<0.05);天冬氨酸转氨酶及总胆红素两组间亦存在显著统计学差异(P<0.05)。完全性HELLP组的分娩孕周为(33.7±4.0)周,新生儿体重(1723.8±546.1)g,死亡率为14.3%;部分性HELLP组的分娩孕周为(34.2±4.2)周,新生儿体重(1831.2±949.3)g,死亡率为14.3%,两组间无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论完全性HELLP综合征和部分性HELLP综合征在实验室指标、临床表现方面均有显著不同。如能早期诊断、早期支持治疗并应用糖皮质激素,依据病情的严重程度及孕周,及时终止妊娠,新生儿的预后无显著差异。     

子痫前期并发HELLP综合征及微血管病变的诊治

HELLP综合征主要病理生理表现为全身小动脉痉挛、微血管病变,一旦发生会危及母儿生命。加强围生期监护、解痉、糖皮质激素治疗和适时终止妊娠等尤为重要。     

HELLP Syndrome Is Associated with an Increased Inflammatory Response,Which May Be Inhibited by Administration of Prednisolone

Objective. To investigate the effect of prednisolone on HELLP syndrome by assessing several markers of the inflammatory response and hepatic damage associated with HELLP syndrome. Design. Prospective study. Setting. Single-center, tertiary obstetric care facility at the University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands. Population. Study subjects included normal controls, patients with non-HELLP preeclampsia, and patients with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Methods. HELLP syndrome was defined by hemolysis (serum lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] >600 IU/L and/or haptoglobin ≤0.3 g/L), elevated liver enzymes (serum aspartate aminotransferase [AST] >70 U/L and/or serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] >70 U/L), and a low platelet count (<100 × 10⁹/L). Blood samples from patients with HELLP syndrome who were receiving either prednisolone or placebo were obtained before, during, and after a HELLP exacerbation in the antepartum period. Plasma levels of CRP, IL-1RA, IL-6, sIL-6R, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and GSTA1-1 were determined. Samples from women with preeclampsia but without HELLP syndrome and from healthy pregnant women were included as controls. Main Outcome Measures. Plasma levels of CRP, IL-1RA, IL-6, sIL-6R, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and GSTA1-1. Results. During a HELLP exacerbation CRP, IL-6, IL-1Ra, and GSTA1-1 levels are significantly increased (p < 0.01). In the group of patients treated with prednisolone, significantly lower IL-6 levels were observed during a HELLP exacerbation, compared with patients who did not receive prednisolone (p < 0.01). Conclusion.HELLP syndrome is associated with an increased inflammatory response. Circulating IL-6 levels in HELLP syndrome are reduced during prednisolone administration, suggesting a stabilizing effect on the inflammatory endothelial process.     

Maternal benefit of high-dose intravenous corticosteroid therapy for HELLP syndrome

OBJECTIVE: We compared maternal outcomes for patients with HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome treated with or without high-dose corticosteroids to ameliorate maternal disease. STUDY DESIGN: An analysis of data for patients with HELLP syndrome (platelets, or=600 IU/L; aspartate aminotransferase and/or alanine aminotransferase level, >or=70 IU/L) who were treated during the 7-year epochs before and after the clinical trials in 1992 and 1993 demonstrated maternal benefit with high-dose dexamethasone. RESULTS: Corticosteroid use increased from 16% (39/246 patients) for fetal indication from 1985 to 1991 to 90% (205/228 patients) for maternal-fetal indications from 1994 to 2000. Significantly reduced composite maternal disease from 1994 to 2000 was evidenced by improvements in laboratory parameters, disease progression to class 1 HELLP syndrome, the degree of hypertension, the need for antihypertensive therapy, the use of transfusion, and the presence of maternal morbidity (P<.05). Indices of postpartum recovery also were shortened significantly (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Routine early initiation of high-dose intravenous corticosteroids for patients with HELLP syndrome significantly lessened maternal disease, reduced maternal morbidity, and expedited recovery.     

HELLP综合征30例临床分析

目的分析30例HELLP综合征的临床表现及母儿结局,探讨该病目前的诊治和预后. 方法对30例HELLP综合征进行回顾性分析,其中完全性HELLP 19例,部分性HELLP 11例,比较两组的实验室指标、临床表现、母儿并发症和分娩结局. 结果完全性HELLP组的乳酸脱氢酶值为(622±481)U/L,显著高于部分性组(369±101)U/L(P<0.05);而其他各实验室指标两组间无统计学差异.完全性HELLP组中、重度妊高征占84%(16/19),有特殊表现病例占63%(12/19),部分性HELLP组中、重度占36%(4/11),有特殊表现病例占18%(2/11),两组有显著性差异(P<0.05).两组围产儿死亡率无统计学差异(完全性组20.0%,部分性组9.1%,P>0.05).完全性HELLP组的分娩孕周为(32±4)周,新生儿体重(1617±603) g;部分性组的分娩孕周为(36±3)周,新生儿体重(2381±786) g,两组比较差异有显著性(P均<0.05).两组剖宫产率为95%(完全性组)和73%(部分性组),差异无显著性(P>0.05).产后HELLP综合征者2例,均为完全性.两组患者的血小板和肝功能均于产后24 h开始恢复,产后72 h血小板恢复正常,产后第5天肝功能恢复正常. 结论完全性HELLP综合征的临床病情较部分性更加严重.但如能及时诊治,二者的预后(包括实验室指标的恢复和围产儿死亡率)无显著差别.     

Comparisons of maternal and perinatal outcomes in Taiwanese women with complete and partial HELLP syndrome and women with severe pre-eclampsia without HELLP

AIM: To analyze the variations between maternal complications and perinatal outcome among women with complete hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme levels, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome, partial HELLP syndrome, and women with severe pre-eclampsia and normal laboratory tests. We also examine the effect of corticosteroid therapy for treatment of HELLP. METHODS: In this retrospective study, six patients with complete HELLP syndrome and 46 with partial HELLP syndrome, were compared and contrasted with 212 patients with severe pre-eclampsia but without HELLP syndrome. RESULTS: In Protocol 1, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) was the strongest morbidity factor associated with patients among complete HELLP, partial HELLP, and severe pre-eclampsia. After post-hoc analysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was the significant outcome variable between complete and partial HELLP. In Protocol 2, after adjustment, we found that MODS (adjusted OR, 15.2, 95% CI, 6.18-35.53; P < 0.001); Apgar score less than 5 at 1 minute (adjusted OR, 2.17, 95% CI, 0.94-5.01; P = 0.069) and DIC (adjusted OR, 9.51, 95% CI, 1.68-53.7, P = 0.011) remained significantly associated with HELLP syndrome. There was a favorable outcome found in the complete HELLP group. Neither the dexamethasone group nor the aggressive therapy group could benefit from the treatment protocol. CONCLUSION: The different categories of HELLP syndrome, the protocol 1 and protocol 2 have been noted as differential effects on pregnancy outcome. MODS and DIC would be two significant outcome variables and corticosteroid therapy may not benefit HELLP patients.     

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with HELLP syndrome complicating a triploid pregnancy

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare-and not always reversible-neurological complication associated with pre-eclampsia. We report a highly unusual case of puerperal PRES occurring in the context of pre-eclampsia arising from a previously undiagnosed triploid pregnancy at 16 weeks gestation.