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Síndrome HELLP - Overview

Definición:

Es un grupo de síntomas que se presentan en las mujeres embarazadas que padecen:

(H de "hemolysis" en inglés): hemólisis (la descomposición de glóbulos rojos)
(EL de "elevated liver enzymes" en inglés ): enzimas hepáticas elevadas
(LP de "low platelet count" en inglés): conteo de plaquetas bajo

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

No se ha encontrado una causa para el síndrome HELLP.

Este síndrome se presenta en aproximadamente 1 a 2 de cada 1,000 embarazos y en el 10-20% de las mujeres embarazadas con preeclampsia o eclampsia severa.

Casi siempre, el síndrome se presenta antes de que el embarazo esté cerca de las 37 semanas. Algunas veces, se puede manifestar en la semana posterior al nacimiento del bebé.

Muchas mujeres presentan presión arterial alta y se les diagnostica preeclampsia antes de que presenten el síndrome HELLP. Sin embargo, en algunos casos, los síntomas de HELLP son la primera advertencia de preeclampsia y la afección se diagnostica erróneamente como:

Gripe u otra enfermedad viral
Colecistopatía
Hepatitis
Púrpura trombocitopénica idiopática (PTI)
Reagudización del lupus
Púrpura trombocitopénica trombótica

Preeclampsia

Reviewed last on: 11/21/2010
Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Sibai BM. Hypertension. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics - Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 33.

Wakim-Fleming J. Liver disease in pregnancy. In: Carey WD, ed. Cleveland Clinic: Current Clinical Medicine 2010. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2010:section 6.

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