HELLP Syndrome

Our main purpose for Lorelai’s Legacy is to raise awareness to HELLP syndrome.

We knew very little about HELLP syndrome and pre-eclampsia before April 2011. We had heard about pre-eclampsia and knew that it had something to do with high blood pressure–that’s it! In April 2011, we learned first hand how quickly HELLP syndrome can change your life! For more details, see Lorelai’s Story.

HELLP syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur in pregnant women who have:

• H – Hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells)
• EL – Elevated liver enzymes
• LP – Low platelet count

Cause:

• Has NOT been found yet.

Occurs:

• 1-2 out of 1,000 pregnancies. If severe preeclampsia or eclampsia are present, 10-20% of pregnancies.
• Typically develops during the 3^rd trimester, and usually in Caucasian women over the age of 25. Rare cases have been reported as early as 23 weeks gestation. Sometimes it can develop in the week after the baby is born.

Symptoms:

• Fatigue or feeling unwell
• Fluid retention and excess weight gain
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting that continues to get worse
• Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen
• Blurry vision
• Nosebleed or other bleeding that won’t stop (rare)
• Seizures or convulsions (rare)

Signs:

• Abdominal tenderness (upper right side)
• Enlarged liver
• High blood pressure
• Swelling in the legs

Treatment:

• While there is no cure, the main treatment is to deliver the baby as soon as possible, even if the baby is premature. Complications of HELLP syndrome can quickly get worse and be very harmful for both the mother and child.

Prognosis:

• Returns in up to 1 out of 4 future pregnancies.

For more information on HELLP syndrome or pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, visit http://www.preeclampsia.org.