Background:HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets) syndrome is a common complication of severe
preeclampsia, with a high maternal and perinatal mortality rate. Data on
HELLP syndrome is scanty in our setting. We sought to study the clinical
presentation, management, and materno-fetal outcome of patients with HELLP
syndrome at the Yaoundé Gyneco-Obstetrics and Pediatric Hospital (YGOPH). Methods: This was a cross-sectional, analytical study with a retrospective data
collection of patients, diagnosed with HELLP syndrome at the YGOPH between 1st
January 2020 and 31st July 2021. Data were analyzed using the software R
version 4.0.2. Results are presented as mean ±standard deviation, frequencies and percentages. P values < 0.05 were
considered statistically significant.Results: Of 254
cases of severe preeclampsia, 17 developed HELLP syndrome, giving us a
frequency of 6.7%. One patient who presented with hepatitis B was excluded. The
mean age was 27.19±6.44 years. Most patients
(56.3%) had poor follow up during antenatal contacts. The most common symptom
was headache (93.8%). Most cases (56.3%) were diagnosed during post-partum,
prepartum (25.0%), and per partum (18.8%). Obstetrical management was done by
cesarean section (62.5%) and vaginal delivery (37.5%). Post-partum management
of HELLP syndrome consisted of antihypertensive medication, anticonvulsants,
sedatives, transfusion of blood and blood products, and fluid resuscitation. Of
the 50% of patients who presented with acute kidney injury, only 12.5% (1) were
referred for dialysis. Over 50% of our study participants presented severe
complications after delivery, but 43.8% recovered, while 56.2% finally died.
The fetal outcome was: still birth (31.2%), intra-uterine growth restriction/low birth weight (12.5%), term
delivery (≥37 weeks)
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