Overlapping Presentations of HELLP Syndrome and COVID-19

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.

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.

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.

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.