[The HELLP syndrome. 13 cases].

The Hellp syndrome is a complication of raised blood pressure in pregnancy, haemolysis, a rise in liver enzymes and thrombopenia. In this retrospective study we report 12 cases of Hellp syndrome which occurred in the University Hospital Centre of Poitiers between 1982 and 1990 and we discuss causes, the progress, the prognosis and the management. Six patients were helped by prophylactic Caesarean operation. Two patients had eclamptic fits. Fortunately there was no maternal death. There were seven cases of intrauterine growth retardation, two of in utero fetal death and one of early neonatal death. When clinical and biological parameters of the Hellp syndrome come right following delivery, the outlook for the mother is quickly favourable, but the syndrome can continue and sometimes become worse after delivery. Stopping the pregnancy is the basic treatment and conservative treatment has only a very limited success. Finally, the prognosis for the future is usually good and it is unlikely to recur.