[HELLP syndrome: the ten commandments]

The internist has a role to play in the practical approach of HELLP syndrome, a disease which can differ according to its symptoms, course and causes. Any recent epigastric pain during the end of pregnancy must be considered as a symptom of HELLP syndrome. Liver disease together with thrombocytopenia may be present even without any renovascular involvement. The disease can be threatening for the mother and lead to the foetal death. It can be sometimes difficult to be distinguished from thrombotic microangiopathy. Treatment consists mainly in rapid discontinuation of pregnancy. Steroid therapy could allow to simplify anaesthesia procedures and to avoid blood transfusion. Early-onset HELLP syndrome could be a marker a chronic nephropathy or a thrombophilic disorder. The HELLP syndrome is a very demonstrative example of the help the internist can afford to the obstetrician in the management of pregnancy-associated disorders.