TYPE-1 DIABETES-MELLITUS DEVELOPING DURING HELLP-SYNDROME

HELLP syndrome, a combination of haemolysis, elevated liver function t ests and a low platelet count, is described as a rare but serious comp lication of pregnancy. Some authors term HELLP syndrome an ''acute aut oimmune status''. This thesis is based upon positive platelet IgG anti bodies, autoimmune haemolysis and passive disease transfer to the fetu s. We diagnosed the onset of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes melli tus in a 30-year-old patient with HELLP syndrome during the 35th week of pregnancy. As immune mechanisms, together with other factors, play a fundamental role in the development of type 1 diabetes, a combinatio n of autoimmune reactions could explain the onset of type 1 diabetes i n a patient with altered immune status. To our knowledge this is the f irst report of such an association.