HELLP syndrome causes

• A cause for HELLP syndrome has not been found.

• HELLP syndrome occurs in about 1 to 2 out of 1,000 pregnancies, and in 10-20% of pregnant women with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia.

• Most often HELLP develops before the pregnancy is 37 weeks along. Sometimes it can develop in the week after the baby is born.

• Many women have high blood pressure and are diagnosed with preeclampsia before they develop HELLP syndrome.

• However, in some cases, HELLP symptoms are the first warning of preeclampsia and the condition is misdiagnosed as:

• Flu or other viral illness
• Gallbladder disease
• Hepatitis
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
• Lupus flare
• Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

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