Ethnic variation in the incidence of HELLP syndrome in a hypertensive pregnant population.

To determine whether there is a difference among various ethnic groups in the complication of HELLP syndrome in a hypertensive pregnant population. A cohort of 498 pregnant women were entered into the study and multiple clinical parameters including blood pressure, birthweight percentile, gestational age were abstracted. HELLP syndrome was diagnosed in patients based on thrombocytopenia elevated liver enzymes and hemolysis. Maternal and fetal characteristics including the incidence of HELLP syndrome were compared among various ethnic groups and between the hypertensive categories using analysis of variance. The risk of developing HELLP syndrome was significantly higher in the White and Chinese population compared to the East Indian population (relative risk of 2.2). The development of HELLP syndrome was associated with an increased risk of the development of small for gestational age infants (SGA). The clinical correlates of the HELLP syndrome include ethnic group being highest in Chinese and White populations. A significant risk for the development of small for gestational age infants (SGA) exists in the presence of the HELLP syndrome.