Postpartum corticosteroids: accelerated recovery from the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP).

OBJECTIVE

Because most morbidity and mortality associated with atypical preeclampsia and the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets is a postpartum phenomenon, we undertook this investigation to evaluate the use of high-dose corticosteroids to minimize maternal morbidity and accelerate postpartum recovery in patients with this form of severe preeclampsia.

STUDY DESIGN

Into this prospective, randomized study 40 parturients with the syndrome were recruited. The syndrome was defined by a clinical presentation consistent with a diagnosis of severe preeclampsia or eclampsia in addition to laboratory evidence of hemolysis, hepatic dysfunction, and thrombocytopenia. Immediately post partum 20 parturients assigned to the treatment group received four doses of intravenous dexamethasone at 12-hour intervals (10 mg, 10 mg, 5 mg, 5 mg) over 36 hours. Patients assigned to the control group received no corticosteroids. All study subjects were intensively monitored by mean arterial pressure and urinary output every 2 hours, hematocrit and platelet count every 6 hours and lactic dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase every 12 hours for the first 48 hours post partum.

RESULTS

The steroid-treated group with the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets had significant changes over time in mean arterial pressure, urinary output, platelet count, lactic dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase versus the control group with the syndrome. Relative to the control group, the mean arterial pressure became significantly decreased at 22 hours in the steroid-treated group (p < 0.03), urinary output increased significantly by 16 hours (p < 0.02), the platelet count increased significantly by 24 hours (p < 0.05), and both lactic dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase decreased significantly by 36 hours (p < 0.04 and p < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In association with high-dose corticosteroid administration, parturients with the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets recovered from the disease process more rapidly than did control subjects, as measured by urinary output, mean arterial pressure, platelet count, lactic dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase. In this disease process, which has significant associated morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with advanced cases, high-dose corticosteroid therapy appears to significantly hasten recovery and lessen the severity of the disease post partum. We postulate that use of this therapeutic approach in properly selected patients could result in lessened overall maternal morbidity and mortality, shorter patient stays in recovery and intensive-care areas, and shorter overall hospitalization with reduced medical care costs.