The HELLP syndrome in the antiphospholipid syndrome: retrospective study of 16 cases in 15 women

OBJECTIVE

To study the characteristics of the haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome in the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and its influence on the subsequent pregnancies.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of 16 episodes of HELLP complicating APS in 15 women.

RESULTS

HELLP was complete in 10 cases and partial in six. It occurred during the second trimester in seven cases (the earliest at 18 weeks' gestation), the third trimester in seven cases, and the day following delivery in two cases. Pre-eclampsia was present in six cases and eclampsia in five. Outcome of pregnancies was: live birth (n = 8), stillbirth (n = 2) and fetal death (n = 6). APS was primary in nine women and secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in six. HELLP revealed primary APS in six cases. Seven women were not treated. Low dose aspirin was empirically prescribed in one woman whose APS had been undiagnosed despite a history of two fetal deaths. In the other women, therapy consisted of aspirin (n = 8), low molecular weight heparin with a dose varying between 3000 and 12 000 U daily (n = 5), and high dose immunoglobulin every 4 weeks (n = 2), hydroxychloroquine (n = 4), and prednisone (n = 6). Six women had seven subsequent pregnancies, 3-6 years after the complicated pregnancy. HELLP recurred at 33 weeks' gestation in one woman with SLE treated with prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, aspirin, and enoxaparin, and pregnancy ended in live birth. One woman became pregnant after in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer, but pregnancy ended in fetal death despite prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, and enoxaparin. Four women had five uneventful pregnancies with 100 mg daily aspirin and heparin.

CONCLUSIONS

APS may be revealed by HELLP. In APS, HELLP is associated with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in most cases and seems to occur earlier than in the general population. Heparin plus aspirin may prevent obstetric complications in the subsequent pregnancies.

Neurologic aspects of eclampsia

Eclampsia continues to be a significant cause of maternal and fetal death throughout the world. Neurologists have a specific role to play in the diagnosis and management of patients who have eclampsia, especially those who have recurrent seizures, raised intracranial pressure, and coma. Postpartum patients may be admitted to a neurology service when they present to the emergency department with seizures. The cornerstone of treatment has been blood pressure control and magnesium sulfate with its antivasospastic effect. Should this fail, antiepileptic drugs of proved efficacy, such as diazepam and phenytoin, can be used. Recent studies reveal genetic and mitochondrial defects in eclampsia, but further investigation is warranted to determine the complex underlying pathophysiologic interplay and the optimum prophylactic and therapeutic management.

[Changes in central nervous system during preeclampsia]

Hypertension, proteinuria and edema, a syndrome called as EPH gestosis or preeclampsia is one of the most common causes of mortality of pregnant women and fetus. The etiology of the disease is not fully understood, the genetic factors are thought to play the main role. Changes in the central nervous system are dangerous complications of the gestosis which could cause convulsive eclampsia and stroke. The neuroimaging techniques, the neurophysiological and ultrasonographic investigations allow to diagnose the neurological complications of gestosis and to begin the treatment (symptomatic, because of unknown etiology) at right time. Then the cooperation of neurologists and obstetrician may prevent a lot of complications during pregnancy and delivery.

Screening and management of inherited thrombophilias in the setting of adverse pregnancy outcome

Inherited thrombophilic conditions are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including severe pre-eclampsia, fetal loss, abruptio placentae, and intauterine growth restriction. Although the prevalence of these complications is approximately 8% in the general population, their presence is associated with a significantly increased recurrence risk. Thrombophilic conditions most strongly associated with adverse pregnancy outcome include factor V Leiden, prothrombin gene mutation, and deficiencies of protein S, protein C, and antithrombin. Other thrombophilic conditions, such as protein Z deficiency, also appear to be associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications. Antenatal administration of heparin to prevent pregnancy complications has shown promise in small studies, but a randomized, placebo-controlled trial is necessary to determine whether heparin administration is beneficial in preventing adverse pregnancy outcome.

[Incorrect trophoblast differentiation as a potential factor for preeclampsia/eclampsia development--a review]

Many authors stress that abnormal placental development may be an important pathogenetic factor in preeclampsia and in eclampsia. This review presents factors responsible for trophoblast differentiation and endometrium infiltration. It is discussed how in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia / eclampsia these factors may play an important part.

Does human immunodeficiency virus infection protect against preeclampsia-eclampsia?

OBJECTIVE

In view of recent suggestions that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may protect against preeclampsia, this study was done to evaluate whether untreated HIV-positive pregnant women have a lower rate of preeclampsia-eclampsia than HIV-negative women.

METHODS

Subjects for this study were pregnant women from Soweto, South Africa, who gave birth from March to December 2002 at midwife-run clinics or at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and in whom the HIV status was known. A sample size calculation indicated that 2,588 subjects would be required to show statistical significance at P <.05 with a power of 80% for a reduction in the rate of preeclampsia from 8% to 5% with HIV seropositivity, assuming an HIV seroprevalence rate of 30%. Data collection was by record review from randomly selected patient files and birth registers.

RESULTS

In the total sample of 2,600 women, 1,797 gave birth at the hospital and 803 at the midwife-run clinics. The HIV seroprevalence rate was 27.1%. Hypertension was found in 17.3% of women, with 5.3% having preeclampsia-eclampsia. The rates of preeclampsia-eclampsia were 5.2% in HIV-negative and 5.7% in HIV-positive women (P =.61). CD4 count results were available for only 13 women (0.5%).

CONCLUSION

Human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity was not associated with any reduction in the risk of developing preeclampsia-eclampsia.

[A rare etiology of praevia barrier by the non gravid uterus in a duplex uterus (didelphys): ultrasound findings]

The Authors report a rare case of praevia barrier from a duplex uterus (didelphys). A 30 Year old pregnant woman was admitted for ultrasound examination. Her past history included two cesarean sections with a stillborn infant in one case and a live infant with psychomotor retardation in the other case. Third trimester ultrasound examination was consistent with a 36-37 weeks gestation. A 9.1 by 5.8 cm retro-cervical praevia mass was also noted deep in the pelvis. The mass was similar in appearance to myometrium. Elective cesarean section performed at 38 weeks of gestation delivered a normal healthy 2950 g male infant and revealed a second non gravid uterus corresponding to the mass seen at ultrasound. Pelvic examination confirmed a diagnosis of uterus didelphys (uterus duplex bicornis bicollis with vaginal septum) separated by a sagittal partition. The post-operative course was uneventful. Praevia barrier by a half uterus in a patient with duplex uterus is a rare condition that can easily be detected by careful ultrasound examination thus preventing complications at delivery.

Kidney disease is an independent risk factor for adverse fetal and maternal outcomes in pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Kidney disease has long been recognized to adversely affect fetal and maternal outcomes during pregnancy. The goal of this study is to better describe the population of women with kidney disease and provide a contemporary assessment of their risk for adverse events caused by kidney disease after adjustment for other contributing factors.

METHODS

We used Colorado birth and death certificate data for 1989 to 2001. Of 747,368 births during this period, 911 births from women with kidney disease were identified, and 4,606 births from women without kidney disease were randomly selected for comparison. Adverse fetal outcomes included fetal prematurity, low birth weight, or neonatal death, whereas adverse maternal outcomes included preeclampsia, eclampsia, or abruptio placenta.

RESULTS

Women with kidney disease were more likely to have comorbid illnesses, including chronic hypertension, anemia, diabetes, and lung and cardiac disease. Women with kidney disease had a greater frequency of adverse fetal (18.2% versus 9.5%) and maternal outcomes (13.7% versus 4.3%) compared with women without kidney disease (P < 0.0001). The presence of kidney disease independently increased the likelihood of adverse fetal outcomes (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40 to 2.21) and occurrence of adverse maternal outcomes, especially in the middle 1990s, among nulliparous women (adjusted OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 2.17 to 7.66).

CONCLUSION

This analysis shows that independent of other risk factors, kidney disease significantly increases the likelihood of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes for both mother and child.

Is Eclampsia Preventable? A Case Control Review of Consecutive Cases from an Urban Underserved Region

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine whether eclampsia is potentially preventable.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case control study comparing 25 cases of eclampsia, 33 cases of preeclampsia and 50 pregnant controls. Eclampsia cases were classified as follows: group A was potentially preventable by patient education if there were preeclamptic symptoms before presenting to the hospital; group B was potentially preventable by health care provider if patient presented to health care with evidence of preeclampsia and was not appropriately treated; group C was not preventable if eclampsia developed without symptoms or preeclampsia. Statistical analysis was done as applicable.

RESULTS

The mean gestational age at seizure was 34 weeks; 50% of seizures occurred outside a hospital and 44% had multiple seizures. Twenty were antepartum, three intrapartum, and two postpartum. Fourteen (56%) cases were classified as group A, 4 (16%) as group B and 7 (28%) as group C. Compared to controls, African-Americans, nulliparity, premature delivery, and increased neonatal morbidity were significantly associated with eclampsia. Compared with preeclamptics, eclamptic subjects had more symptomatology and more adverse maternal complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In this underserved population, a significant percentage of eclampsia cases are potentially preventable by patient education or health care response. In a smaller percentage, eclampsia may develop without any symptomatology or preeclampsia.

[Delivery and perinatal aspects of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia-eclampsia]

Hypertension is the most important cause of disease in the expectant mother and the fetus, and it unfavorably affects the perinatal morbidity and mortality.

AIM

To determine the method of delivery of a pregnant women with Praeeclampsia-Eclampsia (PE-E) depending upon the severity, continuity and term of appearance of hypertensive disease during pregnancy and its impact on perinatal morbidity and mortality.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study covers a two year period (2002-2003), during which 84 pregnant women are treated and deliver with PE-E in the Ist and IInd Obstetrics clinics. Of them 64 (76.20%) are with mild form of PE, 10 (11.90%) with mid severe form and 10 (11.90%) severe form of which 3 had Eclampsia. The pregnancies were followed using echography and cardiotocographic monitoring.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

With the severe forms of PE-E the disease started between 25-30 gestational weeks (60%), while with the mid severe the appearance was between 31-36 g.w. (50%). Persistence of PE > 4 g.w. was observed with severe PE, whereas in mild forms continuity of < 3 g.w. (73.44%) prevailed with its onset after 37 g.w. (57.81%). Normal delivery was attained with 41 pregnancies (48.81%), Caesarean section (CS) with 40 (47.62%), vacuum extraction with 1 (81.19%) and 2 (2.38%) had incomplete aborts. Frequency of CS with the severe forms of PE-E is 80%, with mid severe 50%, and with the mild forms is 42.19%. The most frequent indication of CS is fetal distress--11 (27.50%) and complicated obstetric anamnesis--9 (22.50%). With severe PE-E the most frequent indication is aggravation of symptoms and its non responsiveness to treatment. Born dead are 3 fetuses with severe retardation and body weight < 800 gm. Early gestational age hasn't given us the reason for premature delivery. Death of 1 child, born by CS with 750 gm weight is recorded. The higher rate of CS (3 times more than the median for the clinic--15.16%) can be explained to a degree by the fact that operative delivery by CS in pregnancies with PE-E reduces complications and has an aim to prevent complications to the fetus as well as the mother.

Preeclampsia and eclampsia in parturients from the in vitro fertilization program

Women from in vitro fertilization program are at higher risk for developing pregnancy induced hypertension, so we analyzed the incidence of preeclampsia and eclampsia in women who conceived in an in vitro fertilization program. A seven-year study included 144 parturients from in vitro fertilization program. The control group consisted of 39.112 parturients from general population. We analyzed only women with singleton pregnancies. There were 2.08% parturients from the in vitro fertilization program, and 0.40% from the control group, with diagnosis of preeclampsia, withc2=6,24; p0,10). Parturients from in vitro fertilization program are at statistically significantly higher risk for preeclampsia, but not for eclampsia, when compared with women from general population.

Recent onset neurofibromatosis complicating eclampsia with maternal death: a case report

Neurofibromatosis in pregnancy has been associated with poor perinatal outcome. A 30-year-old multigravida developed peripheral lesions of neurofibromatosis during the third month of pregnancy. She had eclampsia complicated with fatal left-sided massive intracerebral haemorrhage detected on computed tomography at 8.5 months gestation. Investigations were suggestive of HELLP syndrome. A still-born male baby was delivered. In spite of all supportive measures the patient died on the third postpartum day. We conclude that recent onset neurofibromatosis in current pregnancy should be considered as a predictor of potentially adverse maternal and fetal outcome and such pregnancies be managed in tertiary level referral centre.

Does consanguinity affect the severity of pre-eclampsia?

To determine whether consanguinity is more likely to be associated with severe forms of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. Presuming a pure genetic contribution, we speculated that consanguineous marriages would increase the occurrence of severe forms of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, through an expected increased chance for homozygosity to the putative gene. The study is a clinical case series on pre-eclamptic/eclamptic primiparae delivered at Princess Badea Teaching Hospital, which is a tertiary referral center. The internationally accepted definitions for hypertension, proteinuria, mild and severe pre-eclampsia were adopted. The study included 77 primiparae. The incidence of consanguinity in the studied sample was 38%. Of them, 28 (36.4%) had mild pre-eclampsia, 45 (58.4%) had severe pre-eclampsia and four (5.2%) had eclampsia. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia between primiparae married to a first cousin or a relative other than a first cousin and primiparae married to a non-relative, odds ratio 1.1 (95% CI 0.33-3.87), P value 0.94, odds ratio 2.6 (95% CI 0.45-27.6), P value 0.30, respectively. Also, there was no statistically significant difference in occurrence of severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia between primiparae whose parents are first cousins or relatives other than a first cousin and primiparae whose parents are non-relatives, odds ratio 1.3 (95% CI 0.36-4.72), P value 0.81, odds ratio 1.61 (95% CI 0.23-18.4), P value 0.70, respectively. Our study did not support a causal relationship between consanguinity and the occurrence of severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. The role of more complex genetic, immunologic, metabolic, hemostatic or, possibly yet, other unknown factors have to be explored.

[Hypertension and hypertensive emergencies in pregnancy]

BACKGROUND

Hypertensive emergencies are acute, life threatening, and usually--but not necessarily--associated with severe increases in blood pressure. In pregnancy, this is the fact in eclampsia. Eclampsia refers to the occurrence of one or more generalized convulsions in the setting of preeclampsia with proteinuria, edema, and hypertension.

PATHOGENESIS

Our current understanding of the pathogenesis of preeclampsia will be reviewed here. Some major risk factors for the development are preexisting hypertension and renal disease.

PREVENTION AND THERAPY

Preventive measures of preeclampsia and treatment of this specific hypertensive emergency in pregnancy are discussed.

Hiponatremia during pregnancy with adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome in rats

The purpose of the studies was to assess the electrolyte concentration in blood serum of pregnant Wistar rats, in which pregnancy coexisted with adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome. The results displayed hiponatremia in serum blood of these female rats. After puerperium sodium concentration came to the level similar to that before pregnancy, in comparison to control. Hiponatremia could cause neurological complications, which in pregnancy could activate eclampsia.

Anticholinergics induce eclamptic seizures

Severe preeclampsia is a pathophysiological disorder specific to pregnancy and characterized by vasoconstriction and hypercoagulability. Eclampsia (convulsion associated with preeclampsia) and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count associated with preeclampsia (HELLP syndrome) are serious complications in patients with severe preeclampsia. They are thought to be characterized by generalized vasoconstriction and reduction in blood flow to various organs that may be explained by increased sensitivity of the vascular smooth muscles and increased vasopressors. Liver involvement in eclampsia and preeclampsia is referred to as HELLP syndrome, and epigastric and right upper quadrant pain is often a symptom of severe preeclampsia and may be indicative of imminent convulsions. In addition, marked dilatation of the stomach and the colon is often demonstrated in these patients. These phenomena result from the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system but are not caused by the hyperactivity of the parasympathetic nervous system. The authors experienced two cases of eclamptic seizures after the administration of an anticholinergic (scopolamine butylbromide) in patients with severe preeclampsia complicated by HELLP syndrome. Anticholinergics, blocking agents of the parasympathetic nervous system, can enhance the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system; therefore, vasospasms of the vessels may be easily aggravated, and eclamptic seizures may be induced in patients with severe preeclampsia, especially in those complicated by HELLP syndrome. The administration of anticholinergics should be avoided in patients with severe preeclampsia, especially when there is epigastralgia.

Post-partum cerebral angiopathy: repetitive TCD, MRI, MRA, and EEG examinations

We report of a woman with post-partum cerebral angiopathy (PCA), in whom we repetitively performed transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD), MR imaging (MRI), and MR angiography (MRA) to evaluate the underlying pathophysiology. A 31-year-old woman, Gemini pregnant, complained of severe throbbing frontal headache four days after an uneventful delivery by Cesarean section. Blurred vision occurred eight days after delivery, followed by three generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Neurological examination revealed a somnolent woman without focal neurological deficits. At the day of the seizures increased flow velocities and disturbed flow were observed in the right posterior and anterior cerebral artery on transcranial Doppler (TCD). MRI showed infra- and supratentorial patchy hyperintensities in T2-weighted images and in the FLAIR sequence. Diffusion-weighted imaging revealed corresponding multi-focal hyperintense areas indicating increased diffusion and MRA showed a diffuse multisegmental narrowing of all pial arteries. MRI at day 10 was completely normal, but MRA still revealed vascular narrowing in the right posterior cerebral artery. General slight flow accelerations in all basal arteries occurred after 10 days and lasted for three weeks. PCA is apparently associated with a vascular narrowing causing cerebral ischemia with increased diffusion. Later reactive cerebral hyperperfusion is observed. Vascular narrowing and cerebral hyperperfusion still persist after MRI has normalized.