[HELLP syndrome, complicated with DIC syndrome in the third trimester of pregnancy]

Akusherstvo I Ginekologiia
|June 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

HELLP syndrome, a severe preeclampsia complication involving hemolysis, liver dysfunction, and low platelets, often leads to DIC. This case highlights HELLP syndrome developing at 30 weeks gestation, complicated by DIC.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Hematology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets) is a severe variant of preeclampsia.
  • It significantly worsens maternal and fetal prognosis.
  • Association with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is frequent.

Observation:

  • A case of HELLP syndrome is presented.
  • The syndrome developed at 30 weeks of gestation.
  • The case was complicated by the development of DIC syndrome.

Findings:

  • The patient presented with hemolysis, liver dysfunction, and thrombocytopenia.
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) developed concurrently with HELLP syndrome.
  • This highlights the severe clinical course and management challenges.

Implications:

  • Early recognition and management of HELLP syndrome are crucial.
  • Awareness of potential DIC development is vital for timely intervention.
  • This case underscores the importance of multidisciplinary care in severe obstetric emergencies.

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
Hepatic Encephalopathy01:29

Hepatic Encephalopathy

DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...
Diabetic Ketoacidosis ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Diabetic Ketoacidosis ll: Pathophysiology

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a metabolic emergency characterized by hyperglycemia, ketonemia, and metabolic acidosis. It results from severe insulin deficiency and an excess of counterregulatory hormones, leading to uncontrolled lipolysis, ketogenesis, and widespread electrolyte and fluid disturbances.Pathophysiology The central event in DKA is a profound loss of insulin action. Without insulin, glucose uptake in insulin-dependent tissues is impaired, while hepatic glucose production...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction01:25

Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction

DefinitionDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute, life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by a triad of hyperglycemia (blood glucose >250 mg/dL), ketonemia or ketonuria, and metabolic acidosis (arterial pH <7.30 and serum bicarbonate <18 mEq/L). It results from insulin deficiency combined with elevated levels of counterregulatory hormones—glucagon, catecholamines, cortisol, and growth hormone—leading to increased lipolysis, hepatic ketone production, and...