ERYTHROCYTE-MEMBRANE FLUIDITY IN PATIENTS WITH PREECLAMPSIA AND THE HELLP-SYNDROME - A PRELIMINARY-STUDY

Objective: To assess maternal erythrocyte membrane fluidity in patient s with severe preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant controls. Methods : Eighteen patients were studied at 28-38 weeks' gestation: nine sever e preeclamptics, four of whom subsequently developed HELLP syndrome, a nd nine normotensive pregnant women. Erythrocytes were prepared with a fluorescent lipophilic probe to measure membrane fluidity. Results: E rythrocyte membrane fluidity was higher in patients with HELLP syndrom e than in severe preeclamptic and normotensive women. Conclusion: Eryt hrocyte membrane fluidity appears to be increased in patients with HEL LP syndrome. This may play an important role in the development of mic roangiopathic anemia and tissue ischemia which characterize the HELLP syndrome.