[Intensive care management of HELLP syndrome in Dakar].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the intensive management of HELLP syndrome in a intensive care unit in African setting.

STUDY

DESIGN

Descriptive and analytical retrospective study.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

All patients hospitalized between June 1998 and June 2004 for HELLP syndrome were included in the study. Following parameters were studied: age, parity and gestity, term of pregnancy, delay before admission in ICU, data clinical, biological parameters, medical treatment, obstetrical treatment, maternal complications, maternal and foetal prognosis.

RESULTS

Twenty patients of average age 26.3 years with seven primigeste and 13 pauci and miltigeste were admitted in ICU during the period of study for HELLP syndrome. The average time of admission was 1.35 days; 13 patients had HELLP syndrome in ante partum and seven patients in postpartum. Serious complications were noted at admission in the majority of patients with oligoanuric renal insufficiency in 11 cases, eclampsia in eight cases and intravascular coagulation disseminated in four cases. The mode of delivery in patients for HELLP syndrome occurring in ante partum was the Caesarean section under general anaesthesia in five cases and vaginal delivery in eight cases. All the patients for HELLP syndrome in the postpartum had been confined by low way. The maternal evolution was favourable in 13 cases. Seven patients of which five with HELLP syndrome who occurred in ante partum had died. The infant mortality was noted in eight cases primarily in cases of HELLP syndrome which occurred in ante partum.