Barbara and Ann,

HELLP stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver
enzymes, Lowered Platelets.  It is a subset of
preeclampsia/eclampsia.  Aprox. 1-2% of women with one of those will get
HELLP.  It has a high mortality rate for moms, even higher for
babies.  The only "cure" is delivery, no matter the gestational age of the
baby.  Sometimes, HELLP doesn't even begin until postpartum, so there is
even less to be done.  Treatment consists of doses of corticosteroids, and
supportive care (dialysis, platelets, etc.) The hope is to keep mom alive long
enough for her body to pull her through.  We do not know the cause of
HELLP, other than a familial trait or previously having HELLP, there is no way
to predict who will get HELLP.  Once a mom has had it, there is up to 19%
chance of it happening again, if she survives and has another pregnancy.
Current research points to a suggestion of an autoimmune disfunction, as HELLP
is frequently found in women who go on to develop other AI problems like Lupus,
Antiphospholipid Syndrome, etc.



There is an excellent web site for anyone
interested in further information on this condition (which is VERY often missed
by ER docs, then the moms frequently die.)

http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/HELLP1995/hellp.html



I have a great deal of experience with this
topic and am on the Board of the HELLP Syndrome Society and would be happy to
answer any questions anyone has, please email me privately unless your question
pertains to breastfeeding.



--- Denny Rice, RN, IBCLC

--- Dallas, Texas, USA

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