AIM

To compare perinatal outcome of patients with HELLP syndrome to that of patients with chronic hypertension and superimposed preeclampsia on chronic hypertension without HELLP syndrome.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the perinatal outcome of 147 pregnancies complicated by the HELLP syndrome, chronic hypertension, and superimposed preeclampsia on chronic hypertension without HELLP syndrome.

RESULTS

Gestational age at delivery and birthweights were lower among women with HELLP syndrome than among women with superimposed preeclampsia and chronic hypertension (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups with respect to intrauterine growth retardation, respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, Apgar score, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, overall rate of cesarean delivery and cesarean delivery rate for fetal distress. The total perinatal mortality rate was 17% (28/147) and was more frequent in the HELLP group (27%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gestational age at delivery (RR 0.45) and birthweight (RR 0.99) were risk factors for adverse outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Perinatal outcome is primarily influenced by gestational age at delivery and birthweight independent of the severity of the hypertensive status of pregnant women.