[Differential HELLP syndrome diagnosis].

Abstract

The early detection of HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) is the basic condition for immediate therapeutic management, which mainly leads to prompt delivery. The classical symptoms despite the typical laboratory evaluation (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) are epigastric or right upper quadrant pain and nausea and vomiting; the classical signs of preeclampsia (proteinuria and hypertension) may be absent in 20%. The differential diagnostic problems of HELLP syndrome arise in relation to the mimicry-symptomatic: upper abdomen pain can imitate gastroenterologic diseases (e.g. cholelithiasis, appendicitis), the elevated liver enzymes combined with hyperbilirubinemia liver diseases (e.g. viral hepatitis) and thrombocytopenia in combination with hemolytic anemia, neurological symptoms and renal failure other similar pathogenetic disorders due to the category of thrombotic microangiopathies. Regarding the common symptoms thrombocytopenia, hemolysis as well as signs of preeclampsia with or without renal failure the differentiation from various autoimmune diseases also can be difficult in special cases. Rare first manifestations and serious simultaneous diseases which can overlay the typical signs of HELLP syndrome show the variety of HELLP syndrome. Interdisciplinary detours and delay are the consequences of this differential diagnostic problems, which could imply deleterious effects on the mother and the fetus, until the final diagnosis is clear. Therefore all pregnant women with upper abdomen pain irrespective of symptoms of preeclampsia should be considered to have HELLP syndrome and immediate laboratory evaluation has to be done. If there is any doubt a interdisciplinary consultation is required!