What is HELP Syndrom?

I do not have this but its what the doctors are worried I will develop... not 100% sure what it it.

 

I believe it is similar to pre eclampsia.

 

It stands for....

H (hemolysis, which is the breaking down of red blood cells)

EL (elevated liver enzymes)

LP (low platelet count)

It is a variant of pre-eclampsia.

 

I had it...

HELLP syndrome, which is a unique variant of preeclampsia (toxemia), was named by Louis Weinstein in 1982 after its characteristics:

H (hemolysis, which is the breaking down of red blood cells),

EL (elevated liver enzymes) and

LP (low platelet count).

It can be fatal to both the mother and the baby. HELLP Syndrome occurs in tandem with preeclampsia, but because HELLP Syndrome's symptoms may happen before preeclampsia's three findings (high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling), they may be misdiagnosed as symptoms of gastritis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), acute hepatitis, gall bladder disease, and other conditions. As a result, the mother may not get the right treatment, leaving both mother and baby that much more at risk.

Who is at risk of getting HELLP Syndrome?
Who is at risk of getting HELLP Syndrome?

Five to seven percent of all pregnant women in the United States develop preeclampsia and between two and 12 percent go on to suffer from HELLP Syndrome. Best estimates are that HELLP Syndrome occurs in one per 150 live births (about one half of one percent), with a maternal mortality rate of 3.50 percent.

These numbers will vary with attention to the mothers care. If preeclampsia is diagnosed early and the baby is delivered, HELLP may not develop. The rate of HELLP and the mortality will then be lower than stated. Just how often does HELLP Syndrome happen? The exact number is unknown, because doctors may or may not catch it and have a difference of opinion as to what exact lab values constitute when a woman develops HELLP. If the diagnosis of preeclampsia was delayed or it was managed too conservatively, a woman's likelihood of developing HELLP Syndrome is even higher.

According to statistics obtained from a central database maintained by the National Center for Health Statistics for the year 2000, there were 4,065,674 live births in the United States. If one half of one percent of these births were to result in HELLP Syndrome, that means approximately twenty thousand women per year will develop HELLP.

 

I was diagnosed with mild pre-e at 32 weeks. The Drs watched it closely but I pretty much went about my life. By 34w3d, it had progressed to moderate (more protein and higher BP) and they admitted me. Upon admission, they did blood tests and found I had HELLP as well. They wanted to deliver that day but I begged them to see if I could go a little longer. Things continued to go downhill so I was induced at 34w6d. I was lucky and did not have any severe complications due to the pre-e and HELLP. Both resolved soon after delivery.

I was 44 at delivery and my babies were from donor egg. Apparently (according to my OB) Twins plus AMA plus DE = pre-e more often than not. I hope you can avoid this - it's scary.