HELLP syndrome in the 18th week of gestation in association with elevated angiotensin AT(1)-receptor autoantibodies

We present a 24-year-old woman with a twin pregnancy who was with a typical HELLP syndrome at the 18th week of pregnancy. One fetus was dead, while th e other was severely growth retarded. Our patient had agonistic autoantibod ies directed at the angiotensin AT,receptor. Termination of the pregnancy p roved necessary. This report is the first to our knowledge associating HELL P syndrome with angiotensin AT(1)-receptor antibodies. Since the antibodies may have a pathogenic significance, their removal could permit the prolong ation of pregnancy in preeclamptic and HELLP syndrome patients. (C) 2001 El sevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.