The investigation of prenatal screening test parameters in predicting HELLP Syndrome

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate whether first and second trimester prenatal screening test parameters may be useful in predicting "HELLP Syndrome"
METHODS: HELLP syndrome was defined according to Sibai criteria. The collected data were as follows; age, gravida, parity, body mass index, gestational week at labor, route of delivery, birthweight, aspartat aminotransferase (AST), Lactat dehidrogenase (LDH), biluribin, first trimester multiple of medians (MOM) of preganancy associeted plasma protein-A (PAPPA), and Beta human corionic gonadotropin (B hcg), second trimester Bhcg, unconjugated estriol (uE3) and AFP levels were measured.
RESULTS: A total of 80 patients in study group and 135 patients in control groups were included to the study. All the markers of HELLP syndrome was signficanty higher in study group due to the markers was the criteria for HELLP syndrome. While first trimester PAPP-A was significantly lower in study group, Bhcg levels were similar between groups. Second trimester AFP level was significantly lower also B-hcg level was significantly higher in study group. uE3 was not different in control and study groups.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Low Papp-a levels and high second trimester bhcg levels may be associated with HELLP syndrome in subsequent gestational weeks.