Response to Kim re:HELLP
Cynthia Faullin (cfaullin@uiuc.edu)
Wed, 27 Mar 1996 14:53:51 -0600
Kim. Sorry to take so long to get back to you. H.E.L.L.P. Syndrome is a
fairly rare and extreme form of pre-eclampsia. It usually strikes late in
the 3rd trimester but almost everyone I know who has had it, got it around
28-30 weeks. H.E.L.L.P. roughly stands for hypertension, enlarged liver,
and low platelets. The most common symptom appears to be epigastric pain
(liver) which many people mistake for indigestion. Some people exhibit
elevated blood pressure, but in my case it didn't sky rocket until after
delivery. The only currently known cure for H.E.L.L.P. is to deliver the
baby. If H.E.L.L.P. is not caught in time it can result in convulsions and
even death. Magnesium Sulfate is most commonly given to prevent
convulsions. H.E.L.L.P. is evidently difficult to diagnose in its early
stages and even more difficult to prevent. My OB said she had read of low
levels of aspirin and high levels of calcium being used in H.E.L.L.P
prevention. She was reluctant to try these with me during my second
pregnancy though because of other complications. I'm no expert but this is
what I know. I'm sure that there are others out there who could add more
info. I would be interested in hearing what else people have to say.
Cynthia Faullin
mom to Trevor and Trenton
At 05:49 AM 3/23/96 -0500, you wrote:
>>>H.E.L.L.P. Syndrome. <<
>
>What is this?
>
>Kim
>
>