Maternal Death From HELLP Syndrome in a Tersier-Care Unit

Sabahattin ALTUNYURT, Tuncay TÜRKSOY, Fatma SALİH, Namık DEMİR
İzmir-Turkey

HELLP Syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) is a life-threatening complication of pregnancy. Specific treatment is not available because of its unknown origin. We present a case of HELLP Syndrome in a 23-year-old primigravida which was started during postpartum period. Although clinical improvement was observed at the beginning of treatment, it was resulted in mortality on the 14th day. Termination of pregnancy is not enough to eliminate the risk of HELLP syndrome and it is associated with serious maternal morbidity even mortality especially when it arises in the postpartum period.
(Gynecol Obstet Reprod Med 2005; 11:70-71)

Key Words: HELLP syndrome, Postpartum, Mortality