NEONATAL MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY ASSOCIATED WITH MATERNAL HEMOLYSIS ELEVATED LIVER-ENZYMES AND LOW PLATELETS SYNDROME

To compare the impact of maternal haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes a nd low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, uncomplicated hypertension in pregn ancy (HIP), and no hypertension (controls) on neonatal morbidity and m ortality, 108 infants were matched with respect to gestational age, da te of birth, and gender. The HELLP group infants had more grade 3 and 4 respiratory distress syndromes (36%) than the HIP group (19%) or con trols (11%). Cardiovascular instability (arterial hypotension, volume resuscitation) was significantly more common in HELLP neonates (20% an d 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 g estation both respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and intra-uteri ne growth retardation associated with HIP is further aggravated by a m aternal HELLP syndrome.