Review

Emergency Approach in HELLP Syndrome

10.4170/jaem.2009.16878

  • Mustafa Baştürk
  • Orhan Tokgöz
  • Mehmet Sıddık Evsen
  • Güven Tekbaş
  • Murat Kapan
  • Etem Suyuçok
  • Behçet Al

Received Date: 21.10.2008 Accepted Date: 12.11.2008 Eurasian J Emerg Med 2009;8(2):9-12

HELLP syndrome (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) is a multisystemic disorder that has a poor prognosis and occurring usually in older multiparous women in the third trimester of pregnancy due to a generalized microangiopathy. If patient has complications such as hepatic rupture, cerebral hemorrhage and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), materno-fetal mortality is high. Severe thrombocytopenia worsens prognosis. The early recognition of HELLP syndrome and the rapid initiation of therapy are required for the improvement of materno-fetal prognosis. The only specific therapy in HELLP syndrome is induction of delivery.

Keywords: HELLP syndrome, pregnancy, emergency department, diagnosis, therapy