Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Purification of HLA-G+ Extravillous Trophoblasts from Human Term Placental Tissues for Phenotyping and Functional Analysis
Published on: March 13, 2026
[Mixed connective tissue disease and HELLP syndrome in pregnancy]
1Klinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe der Rheinisch Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen. ilmi.behluli@uniklinikum-saarland.de
History And Admission Findings:
A 35-year-old woman (gravida 4, para 3) was known to have mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD-Sharp's syndrome) for five years, treated with immunosuppressives. She was in the 20 + 4 week of an unwanted pregnancy.
Diagnosis:
On admission she had marked eclampsia with severe hypertension (180/130 mmHg), laboratory tests revealing hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia, indicating an HELPP syndrome (severe eclampsia with hemolysis, elevated liver function and low platelets).
Treatment And Course:
The symptoms worsened over a few days, the patient initially having refused treatment. The fetus died in utero. After drug-induction of labor the fetus was ejected and with further supportive treatment the patient's condition rapidly improved.
Conclusion:
This patient developed HELPP syndrome in association with MCTD. There is no proof that the collagen disease had a causal or aggravating effect on the development of HELPP syndrome.
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