A comparative study of co-morbidities and outcomes between HELLP syndrome and severe pre-eclampsia without HELLP syndrome in a tertiary care centre

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy specific, multi-system, life-threatening complication. Incidence of severe pre-eclampsia varies between 10-20% of all pregnancies and that of HELLP syndrome is 0.2-0.6% of all pregnancies. This study aims to provide a comprehensive view of maternal and perinatal outcomes in HELLP syndrome and that of severe pre-eclampsia without HELLP. Methods: This prospective, observational, comparative study was conducted at a tertiary care centre- Grant medical college and sir JJ group of hospitals, in a period of 10 months (March 2024 to December 2024). 30 patients of pre-eclampsia with severe features were compared with 30 patients of HELLP syndrome. The maternal and perinatal outcomes were studied and results analysed. Results: Incidence of maternal complications and the need for blood and blood products transfusion was greater in HELLP syndrome. However, only marginal differences were noted in the perinatal outcomes. Conclusions: HELLP syndrome is associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality as compared to severe pre-eclampsia. Only marginal differences were noted in neonatal outcomes due to HELLP syndrome and severe preeclampsia without HELLP syndrome. Aggressive and timely treatment of these maternal conditions helps in reducing the maternal morbidity and mortality.