Maternal outcome following temporizing management of the (H)ELLP syndrome

Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the clinical progress and m aternal outcome of the (H)ELLP syndrome following temporizing management, Methods: All women (n = 127) admitted in the Academic Medical Center in Ams terdam between 1984 and 1996 with (H)ELLP syndrome and a live fetus in uter o were included. The patients were treated by temporizing management, inclu ding the use of antihypertensives and magnesium sulfate. The predominant in dication for terminating pregnancy was fetal distress or fetal death, and n ot maternal condition. Main Outcome Measures: Maternal mortality and morbidity. Results: All serious maternal complications occurred at the onset of the sy ndrome. Two mothers with HELLP syndrome died following a cerebral hemorrhag e. The remaining patients recovered completely. Serious maternal morbidity occurred more often in cases of HELLP than in cases of ELLP syn drome. Seve nty-nine (62%) women were not delivered after 3 days and 65 (51%) after 7 d ays. Conclusions: Severe complications only occurred at the onset of (PI)ELLP sy ndrome. It is unlikely that a more aggressive approach would have reduced m aternal mortality or morbidity.