[Severe thrombocytopenia, hemolysis and liver function disorder in late pregnancy. HELLP syndrome]

A 27-year-old gravida 2 was hospitalized in the 37th week of pregnancy because of nausea, vomiting and upper abdominal pain. She had severe thrombocytopenia (600/microliter), haemolysis and markedly abnormal liver functions (bilirubin 7.4 mg/dl, GOT 512, GPT 650 and LDH 1772 U/l), indicating a probably immunologically induced syndrome (HELLP) of late pregnancy. After platelet infusion and antithrombin III substitution a slightly growth-retarded girl was delivered without complications by section because of threatened intrauterine asphyxia while the cervix was undilated. The maternal platelet count and the liver functions quickly returned to normal post-partum.