It is a group of symptoms that present in pregnant women who suffer from: breakdown of red blood cells, drop in the platelet count and high levels of hepatic enzymes. It generally occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy.
The triggering cause is unknown.
It manifests with a strong feeling of malaise, nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain and even pain in the liver. Gestational high blood pressure is usually the sign that starts the diagnostic process.
Diagnosis is achieved through clinical questioning, physical examination, and blood tests (i.e. full blood count, liver and kidney function tests, electrolytes and clotting). It will also be necessary to carry out tests to study the health of the baby, mainly through ultrasound.
It is a rare but very severe disease. Therefore, if suspected, you should urgently visit a medical center with an obstetrics and gynecology service. The treatment is based on ending the pregnancy by inducing labor or a cesarean section.
- Baha M Sibai. HELLP syndrome. UpToDate May 25, 2016.
- van Oostwaard MF, Langenveld J, Schuit E, et al. Recurrence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: an individual patient data metaanalysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015; 212:624.e1.
- Fitzpatrick KE, Hinshaw K, Kurinczuk JJ, Knight M. Risk factors, management, and outcomes of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome and elevated liver enzymes, low platelets syndrome. Obstet Gynecol 2014; 123:618.
- Abildgaard U, Heimdal K. Pathogenesis of the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP): a review. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2013; 166:117.
- Grand'Maison S, Sauvé N, Weber F, et al. Hepatic rupture in hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets syndrome. Obstet Gynecol 2012; 119:617.
- M. Bruguera. Hígado y embarazo. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen 1. 12º edición. 264.
- ML Cañete Palomo, Y Fernández Escobar, MD Maldonado del Valle. Otras urgencias en el embarazo y puerperio. Manual de Protocolos y Actuación en Urgencias. 3ª edición (2010). 1358.
- N Leung, SC Textor. Lesión vascular del riñón. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 19º Edición. 1865.

