The recurrence risk of the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) in subsequent gestations.

OBJECTIVE

Although it is an important clinical issue, accurate prediction of recurrence risk for the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) has been problematic because of limited patient experience. This study was undertaken to determine the likelihood that this form of severe preeclampsia-eclampsia or any other hypertensive disorder would occur in a subsequent pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

An extensive retrospective analysis of medical records and patient follow-up regarding subsequent pregnancy outcome were undertaken for the 481 patients with HELLP syndrome managed at this tertiary medical center between Jan. 1, 1980, and Oct. 30, 1991. The Mississippi three-class system was used to define severity of disease on the basis of the lowest observed perinatal platelet count (class 1 < or = 50,000/microliters, class 2 > 50,000/microliters to < or = 100,000/microliters, and class 3 > 100,000/microliters to < or = 150,000/microliters).

RESULTS

Subsequent gestations (n = 195) occurred in 122 of 481 patients. Evaluable data were available for analysis in 161 of 195 possible pregnancies. Seventy-eight (48%) pregnancies were complicated by some type of hypertensive disorder, 44 (27%) of which had class 1, 2, or 3 HELLP syndrome. Non-HELLP preeclampsia-eclampsia was detected in 25 subsequent gestations (15%). Thus the total frequency of preeclampsia was 69 in 161 (43%). If the data for class 3 HELLP are completely excluded from the analysis, 81 subsequent evaluable and viable gestations were identified, 19 pregnancies with preeclampsia-eclampsia (23%) and 15 patients with HELLP syndrome (19%), for a total recurrence rate of 42%. Subsequent HELLP gestations were frequently delivered abdominally (64%) on average 2 weeks later than the index pregnancy (32.6 +/- 5.0 weeks versus 34.7 +/- 5.3 weeks). Delivery at < 32 weeks conferred a high risk (61%) for a similar preterm delivery in a subsequent gestation.

CONCLUSION

The risk of recurrence of the HELLP syndrome in our population is 19% to 27%. When data from all pregnancies with all forms of preeclampsia are considered, the risk of recurrence for any type of preeclampsia-eclampsia is 42% to 43%. A previous preterm delivery is a very high risk factor for recurrence of prematurity with preeclampsia-eclampsia.