HELLP syndrome

HELLP syndrome's disease overview

HELLP syndrome is a life-threatening disorder related to pre-eclampsia, which occurs in 5-8% of pregnant women, most common after the 20th week of pregnancy. Pre -eclampsia can also occur earlier than pregnancy or rarely occur after birth.

So what is HELLP syndrome ?

Hellp syndrome is a liver and blood disorder that can be fatal if not treated promptly. The symptoms of HELLP syndrome are very wide, vague and often difficult to diagnose early. The name HELLP syndrome is an abbreviation of three abnormal symptoms that are seen during blood tests, including:

he molysis: Hemolytic

El (Elevated Liver Enzymes): High liver enzymes

LP (Low Platelet Count): Low platelet number

Hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells, in women with hemolytic, red blood cells are broken too soon and too quickly, leading to the percentage of red blood cells. Low and eventually can lead to anemia, then the blood does not have enough oxygen to provide the body.

Increased liver enzymes show that pregnant women's liver is not normal. Inflammable or damaged liver cells produce a large amount of chemicals including enzymes entering the blood.

Platelets are components of blood to help perform blood clotting. When the platelet level is low, the patient will increase the risk of bleeding.

Hellp syndrome can cause large complications, including:

epilepsy

Stroke

Broken liver

Non -peeling (placental abruption leads to bleeding, affecting the growth of the fetus and leading to premature birth or fetal death.

Causes of HELLP syndrome's disease

Currently, doctors have not found the cause of HELLP syndrome.

Symptoms of HELLP syndrome's disease

HELLP syndrome symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of gastritis or stomach flu (Stomach Flu). These seem to be normal symptoms of pregnant women. However, it is important to see a doctor immediately if pregnant women experience any symptoms like gastritis or stomach flu (stomach flu). Only doctors can ensure that those symptoms are not symptoms of serious diseases.

Symptoms of HELLP syndrome may vary for each person, but the most common symptoms include:

Feeling unwell or tired

Stomach pain, especially in the upper abdomen

Nausea

vomit

Headache

Pregnant women may also have other symptoms such as:

Swelling, especially swelling in the hands or face

Excessive and sudden weight gain

Fuzzy vision, vision loss or vision change

Headache

Shoulder pain

Deep breathing

In rarer cases, women may also be confused and convulsions. These signs and symptoms often show that HELLP syndrome is progressing and need to be examined immediately by a doctor.

Transmission route of HELLP syndrome's diseaseHELLP syndrome

HELLP syndrome is not infectious, so it is incapable of transmitting from patients to healthy people.

People at risk for HELLP syndrome's disease

The cause of HELLP syndrome in women has not been known, but there are some factors that may increase the risk of it development.

Pre -eclampsia is one of the biggest risk factors, this disease has a typical symptom of high blood pressure and usually occurs in the last three months of pregnancy. However, pre -eclampsia may appear earlier during pregnancy or even postpartum Hellp syndrome . Not all pregnant women with pre -eclampsia will develop HELLP syndrome.

Other risk factors of HELLP syndrome in obstetrics include:

Pregnant women over 35 years old

is African -American

obesity

Second pregnancy

Diabetes or kidney disease

High blood pressure

There is a history of pre -eclampsia

The risk of HELLP syndrome is higher if you have getting pregnant first. One study found that the risk of recurrence for hypertension disorders, including pre -eclampsia and Hellp during future pregnancy is about 18%.

Prevention of HELLP syndrome's disease

HELLP syndrome cannot be prevented from the cause of this condition that has not been found. However, women can reduce the risk of Hellp syndrome by maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent causes that may increase the risk of Hellp syndrome, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. . By exercising regularly and using a beneficial diet for the heart including cereals, vegetables, fruits and fat (lean protein).

If the woman has these factors or other risk factors, the prenatal care is important so that the doctor can detect it in time if the woman shows signs of progression of pre -eclampsia or Hellp. Some doctors may recommend low -dose aspirin during the next pregnancy to prevent HELLP syndrome.

Diagnostic measures for HELLP syndrome's disease

The doctor will perform the overall examination and request various tests if the HELLP syndrome is suspected. While the examination process, the doctor may detect symptoms of abdominal pain, liver and excessive edema, this may be a sign of the liver problem. In addition, the doctor will check the blood pressure of the woman.

Some tests can also help doctors diagnose, including:

Blood tests to assess the level of platelets, liver enzymes and the number of red blood cells

Urine test for abnormal protein test

MRI to determine if there is a liver bleeding in the liver

HELLP syndrome's disease treatments

After diagnosing HELLP syndrome is diagnosed, giving birth to a baby is the best way to prevent complications because this will prevent the progression of the disease. In many cases, the doctor will give birth early.

However, the treatment may vary depending on the severity of symptoms and the degree close to the expected birth date. If the symptoms of HELLP syndrome are mild or if pregnant for less than 34 weeks, the doctor may treat it by:

Blood transfusion to treat anemia and low platelet amount

magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures

Hypertension drugs to control blood pressure

Corticosteroid medicine helps the child's lungs grow mature in case of early birth

During treatment, the doctor will monitor the amount of red blood cells, platelets and liver enzymes of the woman, and closely monitor the fetal health. The doctor may prescribe some tests such as assessing the movement of fetuses, heart rate, stress and blood flow.

In case of necessity, women may be used to help labor if the doctor detects that pregnant women must give birth immediately. In some cases, women will be indicated for caesarean section, however, surgery can cause complications if women have blood clotting problems due to low platelet levels.

See also:

dangerous complications of pre -eclampsia

Pre -eclampsia - Things that pregnant women need to know

Pre -eclampsia - dangerous obstetric complications and how to prevent

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.