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Overlapping Presentations of HELLP Syndrome and COVID-19
Leila C Tou1, Andrew A Wang1, Taha A Siddiqui2
1Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
Insights
Diagnosing HELLP syndrome during COVID-19 is challenging due to similar symptoms. This case highlights the importance of considering HELLP syndrome in pregnant patients with COVID-19 for timely intervention.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome is a critical condition in pregnancy.
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents diagnostic challenges due to overlapping symptoms with HELLP syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of HELLP syndrome complicated by COVID-19 infection.
- To emphasize the importance of differentiating between HELLP syndrome and COVID-19 in pregnant patients.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a pregnant woman with concurrent COVID-19 and HELLP syndrome.
- Clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and diagnostic considerations were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and HELLP syndrome.
- Diagnosis of HELLP syndrome was confirmed post-delivery, with subsequent symptom resolution.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 and HELLP syndrome share overlapping clinical and laboratory features, necessitating careful evaluation.
- Awareness of these similarities is crucial for prompt diagnosis and management to prevent maternal and fetal complications.
- The temporal response to delivery can aid in differentiating HELLP syndrome from COVID-19.
Introduction:
Haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome is a leading cause of maternal mortality. The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to challenges in diagnosing HELLP syndrome due to overlapping clinical and laboratory presentations. We report a case of HELLP syndrome complicated by COVID-19 infection.
Case Description:
An otherwise healthy pregnant 31-year-old woman presented with fever, myalgia and headache. She was found to be COVID-positive with laboratory signs of HELLP syndrome. Symptoms and laboratory findings trended toward normal after delivery confirming the diagnosis of HELLP syndrome.
Discussion:
A prompt diagnosis of HELLP syndrome is essential to avoid maternal and fetal complications. Clinicians should be aware of the similarities in presentation between HELLP syndrome and COVID-19 for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Learning Points:
SARS-CoV-2 preferentially binds to ACE2 which is expressed in extrapulmonary tissue including placental tissue.COVID-19, HELLP syndrome and preeclampsia may have similar characteristics including elevated blood pressures, liver dysfunction, cardiopulmonary complaints and hypercoagulability.The temporal relationship of symptomatic improvement with delivery and after delivery may better differentiate HELLP syndrome from COVID-19.
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