Neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with maternal haemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets syndrome

To compare the impact of maternal haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, uncomplicated hypertension in pregnancy (HIP), and no hypertension (controls) on neonatal morbidity and mortality, 108 infants were matched with respect to gestational age, date of birth, and gender. The HELLP group infants had more grade 3 and 4 respiratory distress syndromes (36%) than the HIP group (19%) or controls (11%). Cardiovascular instability (arterial hypotension, volume resuscitation) was significantly more common in HELLP neonates (20% and 31%) than in HIP infants (9% and 6%) or controls (3% and 9%). Both, HELLP and HIP infants showed a higher incidence of growth retardation than the controls. After 32 weeks of gestation the incidence of severe neonatal morbidity was not different. Conclusion Before 32 weeks of gestation both respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and intra-uterine growth retardation associated with HIP is further aggravated by a maternal HELLP syndrome.