The HELLP-syndrome; maternal-fetal outcome and follow up of infants

Objective: To investigate maternal-fetal outcome of infants born after pregnancies complicated by (H)ELLP syndrome. Study design: A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients with the HELLP or ELLP syndrome. Maternal and perinatal complications were recorded. The follow-up period of the infants was at least 18 months. A multivariate regression analysis was done to define the variables mostly contributing to adverse outcome. Results: No maternal deaths occurred. Eighteen infants of the HELLP group and six infants of the ELLP group died; total perinatal mortality was 17.6 %. After 18 months four infants had major handicaps, making a total adverse outcome of 22.8 %. Statistical analysis shows early gestational age, prolongation of pregnancy and administration of antihypertensive medication as the factors influencing outcome of the infants most. Conclusions: Prolongation of pregnancy contributed to better perinatal outcome, while administration of antihypertensive medication and early gestational age were related to a more unfavorable outcome.