[Difference between preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome and eclampsia, maternal evaluation]

120 cases of severe preeclampsia without HELLP Syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets), 120 cases of HELLP Syndrome without eclampsia and 119 eclamptic patients without HELLP were analyzed. The objective was to found differences in the maternal morbidity and mortality. Eclampsia was found in those patients 20 years or less, nulliparous and with 37 o more weeks of gestation. This difference was statistically significant. In the group with severe preeclampsia there was one death and 18 complications. In the group with eclampsia there was 5 deaths and 21 complications. In the group of patients with HELLP Syndrome there was 9 death and 63 complications. HELLP syndrome presented various causes of death. Cerebral hemorrhage was the principal one in eclamptic patients. The main complication in the three groups was acute renal insufficiency and this was presented mainly in HELLP Syndrome patients. In summary, HELLP Syndrome have different pathophysiologic characteristics than severe eclampsia and eclampsia. This fact was showed by the great difference in the maternal morbidity and mortality. We suggest a more aggressive and intensive care of HELLP Syndrome patients.