The HELLP-syndrome; maternal-fetal outcome and follow up of infants.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate maternal-fetal outcome of infants born after pregnancies complicated by (H)ELLP syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients with the HELLP or ELLP syndrome. Maternal and perinatal complications were recorded. The follow-up period of the infants was at least 18 months. A multivariate regression analysis was done to define the variables mostly contributing to adverse outcome.

RESULTS

No maternal deaths occurred. Eighteen infants of the HELLP group and six infants of the ELLP group died; total perinatal mortality was 17.6%. After 18 months four infants had major handicaps, making a total adverse outcome of 22.8%. Statistical analysis shows early gestational age, prolongation of pregnancy and administration of antihypertensive medication as the factors influencing outcome of the infants most.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolongation of pregnancy contributed to better perinatal outcome, while administration of antihypertensive medication and early gestational age were related to a more unfavorable outcome.