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A curious case of haemolysis, seizure and acute renal failure associated with pregnancy
Konstantinos Koutroutsos1, Jennifer Jardine, Louise Ross
1St George's University of London, London, UK.
Abstract:
Differential diagnosis between thrombotic microangiopathies in pregnancy is challenging due to overlapping clinical and pathological findings and the rapid progression of disease. We present here an unusual case of Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets (HELLP) syndrome, which represents this diagnostic dilemma. The patient was treated with steroids and plasma exchange, leading to a favourable outcome. Subsequent genetic testing for complement dysregulation revealed a previously unknown variant in intron 3 of the gene coding for the alternative complement pathway factor H: (c.350+9T>C). We discuss here the diagnostic dilemma presented, the treatment pathway in the current literature, and the potential involvement of complement deregulation in severe HELLP. This case underlines the complexity in the diagnosis and management of pregnancy-related thrombotic microangiopathies.
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Acute kidney injury develops suddenly and can be caused by pre-renal causes (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), intrinsic renal causes (e.g., acute tubular necrosis), or post-renal causes (e.g., urinary obstruction). In contrast, chronic renal failure progresses gradually over time and is often...

