HELLP syndrome, a severe manifestation of preeclampsia characterised by haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and thrombocytopaenia, occurs in 0.5-0.9% of pregnancies and is associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality (Clarke, 2008). We present the case of a 30 year old primigravida (RL) who developed a wound haematoma nearly 72 hours after an emergency caesarean section for failure to progress, with no prior hypertension or proteinuria documented. Although RL remained completely asymptomatic, investigations for delayed bleeding revealed severe class I HELLP syndrome with a platelet count of <50000μL, significant haemolysis (haptoglobin <0.06, LDH 1585), acute renal failure (eGFR 64, creatinine 103), fulminant hepatic failure (AST 2539, ALT 3200) and significant autoanticoagulation (INR 3.2, activated prothrombin time 46, fibrinogen 3.0). Paracetamol had been administered for post-operative analgesia and a paracetamol level was in the toxic level.
Multidisciplinary input was sought from anaesthetics, intensive care, toxicology, general medicine, haematology and gastroenterology, with care subsequently coordinated in an intensive care unit. Hypertension developed and blood pressure was strictly controlled with a sodium nitroprusside infusion. In addition to supportive care, vitamin K, a N-acetyl cysteine infusion, lactulose and mechanical thromboprophylaxis were administered. Fortunately, at eight weeks postpartum there were no residual biochemical abnormalities, the patient was well, and had a normal blood pressure.
This case, where late HELLP syndrome was detected solely due to an atypical wound haematoma, reinforces the importance of a high level of clinical suspicion for the HELLP syndrome in women, even in an asymptomatic woman, and irrespective of blood pressure in the first 48 hours postpartum.