Increasing maternal weight: A risk factor for preeclampsia/eclampsia but apparently not for HELLP syndrome

Background. Maternal obesity is a risk factor for severe preeclampsia. We s ought to ascertain whether a similar relationship exists between maternal w eight and HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated fiver enzymes, and low platel ets) as an atypical form of severe preeclampsia. Methods. In this retrospective investigation, 434 patients with HELLP syndr ome were assigned to one of four study groups according to maternal weight and were analyzed in relation to selected maternal and perinatal data refle ctive of disease severity Results, We found no significant associations between maternal weight and p arameters of HELLP syndrome severity, race, delivery mode, gestational age, or perinatal outcome. Significantly associated with increasing maternal we ight were maternal age, parity, admission mean arterial pressure, peak peri partum systolic blood pressures, concurrent essential hypertension, and the interval between admission and delivery. Inversely associated were eclamps ia and the interval between delivery and discharge. Conclusions. Severity and complications attendant with HELLP syndrome appea r unrelated to maternal weight. Paradoxically, eclampsia occurs most common ly in the lighter gravida with HELLP syndrome.