Maternal benefit of postpartum corticosteroid therapy in patients with HELLP (hemolysis elevated liver enzymes low platelets count) syndrome

Our purpose was to assess the effects of corticotherapy prescribed after delivery on the kinetic of biological parameters of HELLP syndrome (hemolysis elevated liver enzymes low platelets count). Twenty patients in whom pregnancy was complicated by antepartum or postpartum Hellp Syndrome, were randomised to receive, after delivery, either 12 mg of Dexamethasone every 12 hours for two doses (Group C, n=10), or a placebo (Group T, n=10). Biological parameters of the Hellp syndrome were analysed just before the first bolus of either treatment (H0), then after 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours. The corticotherapy was more efficient than placebo, in the correction of the biological parameters of the hellp syndrome. It permitted a rapid correction of the thrombopenia (from the 24th hour) but its effect on hemolysis marker was later (from the 36th hour). The kinetic of the hepatic cytolysis marker was not modified by corticotherapy. Finally, the administration of corticosteroids does not reduce maternal morbidity related to HELLP Syndrome.