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Eculizumab for the treatment of preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome

R M Burwick1, B B Feinberg

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. rburwick@partners.org

Placenta
|December 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Severe preeclampsia with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome in early pregnancy poses risks. Eculizumab treatment improved maternal health and prolonged pregnancy, potentially reducing neonatal complications.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Immunology
  • Neonatal Medicine

Background:

  • Severe preeclampsia with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome presents a critical management dilemma at extremely premature gestations.
  • The dilemma involves balancing the need for delivery for maternal well-being against prolonging pregnancy to mitigate prematurity-related morbidities.

Observation:

  • A case of severe preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome at 26 weeks gestation is presented.
  • The patient was treated with Eculizumab, a C5 complement protein inhibitor.

Findings:

  • Eculizumab treatment led to significant clinical improvement and normalization of laboratory parameters.
  • Pregnancy was successfully prolonged by 17 days following Eculizumab administration.

Implications:

  • This case suggests complement inhibition with Eculizumab may be a viable therapeutic strategy for severe preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome.
  • Prolonging pregnancy in such cases may reduce neonatal morbidity and associated long-term healthcare costs.
  • Further research into complement inhibition for managing severe preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome is warranted.

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