[HELLP syndrome. Two cases observed at the University Hospital Center of Brazzaville (Congo)].

The HELLP syndrome is almost always encountered in patients with gravid hypertension. It is defined as the association between intravascular haemolysis, raised liver transaminase levels and thrombopenia. We report 2 cases of HELLP syndrome observed in the Gynecology-Obstetrics B ward in the Brazzaville (Congo) University Hospital in 1992. Frequency in the ward was estimated at 2.9% (2 cases among 67 patients hospitalized for pre-eclampsia). The two cases occurred at 29 weeks gestation in young, black, primipartants in a context of severe pre-eclampsia. The clinical course was rapidly favorable for the mother after delivery. One in utero fetal death occurred. Due to the number of maternal deaths recorded in the literature, we suggest that, in Africa, pregnancies should be interrupted in case of HELLP syndrome whatever the gestational age since proper medical facilities are need to care for these severe cases.