HELLP Syndrome
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OVERVIEW
What is HELLP syndrome?
HELLP syndrome is a rare but serious illness in pregnancy. It is a version of preeclampsia, another pregnancy condition that causes high blood pressure. It causes blood and liver problems in the pregnant person. HELLP stands for the 3 indicators of the syndrome:
- Hemolysis,
- Elevated Liver enzyme levels and a
- Low Platelet count.
This illness can start quickly, most often in the last 3 months of pregnancy (the third trimester). It can also start soon after you have your baby. Those who have HELLP syndrome may have bleeding problems, liver problems and blood pressure problems that can hurt both the pregnant person and the baby.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of HELLP syndrome include:
- Feeling tired.
- Pain in the upper right part of your belly.
- Bad headaches
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Swelling, especially in your face and hands.
- Blurry vision
- Fluid retention and weight gain
- High blood pressure
Rarely, you may notice bleeding that doesn’t stop easily, including from your gums, nose. or other places. Seizures or convulsions can happen but are also rare.
Because many healthy pregnant women also have these symptoms late in pregnancy, it may be hard to know for sure if you have HELLP syndrome. Contact your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms..
CAUSES & RISK FACTORS
What causes HELLP syndrome?
Healthcare providers don’t know exactly what causes HELLP syndrome. They also can’t predict who will get it. Any pregnant person may get this illness.
Most who will get HELLP have blood pressure problems before they get HELLP syndrome. But you can get HELLP syndrome even if your blood pressure is normal.
You’re more likely to get HELLP syndrome if you’re Caucasian and older than 34 years of age. You are also more likely to get it if you have had children before or if you had a problem with a pregnancy in the past.
DIAGNOSIS
Your healthcare provider will do a physical exam. They will check for tenderness in your abdomen, especially the upper right side. They will check for an enlarged liver, swollen legs, and high blood pressure. These are all signs that you could have HELLP syndrome.
Your healthcare provider will likely order blood tests. These will show if your liver enzymes are high, or your blood platelet count is low. These are common indicators of HELLP syndrome.
PREVENTION
What can I do to prevent HELLP syndrome?
There is no way to prevent this illness. The best thing you can do is see your healthcare provider regularly and tell your healthcare provider about your symptoms at every prenatal visit.
If you have HELLP syndrome during one pregnancy, you can have it again during your next pregnancy. After having HELLP syndrome, you are considered high-risk for complications during any future pregnancies. The illness is usually less severe the second time. You are also more likely to have HELLP syndrome if you had preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy.
TREATMENT
How is HELLP syndrome treated?
The main treatment for HELLP is to deliver your baby as soon as possible. This may have to be done before your due date. This means your baby may be born prematurely.
Complications from HELLP can develop quickly, putting both you and your baby in danger. If you aren’t too sick, your healthcare provider may wait a few days before delivering your baby. They can give you corticosteroid medicines. This will help the baby’s lungs develop faster before it is born. Other treatments you may receive in the hospital include:
- A blood transfusion if you have severe bleeding
- High blood pressure medicines
- An infusion of magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures
Some people who have HELLP syndrome get very sick. Rarely, this illness is fatal. Most women who have this illness start to get better a couple of days after their babies are born.
Living with HELLP syndrome
If you are diagnosed early, you will likely be fine. Without early treatment, you may develop complications. These include:
- Clotting problems that can lead to hemorrhage (excessive bleeding)
- Fluid in your lungs
- Kidney failure
- Liver hemorrhage and failure
- Placental abruption (when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus)
Once your baby is born, the illness usually goes away. If you have it once, you are more likely to have it again in future pregnancies.
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