HELLP Syndrome (Hemolysis / Elevated Liver enzymes / Low Platelets)
Encounter flow
12/12 authoredCanonical 12-phase frame with authored status for this dossier.
Frame
Confirm HELLP diagnosis: Tennessee complete (all 3: LDH > 600 + AST/ALT ≥ 70 + plt < 100 K) vs partial (2 criteria) vs incomplete (1 criterion + clinical); assign Mississippi class (I < 50 K, II 50–100 K, III 100–150 K) per Sibai 1993/2004 + ACOG 222 (2020) + ISSHP 2024
HELLP class assigned (Mississippi + Tennessee)
Patient inputs (25)
Drives delivery timing: deliver immediately if ≥ 34 wk or any complication; glucocorticoid window 48 h if 24+0–33+6 wk + stable; counsel re termination if < 24 wk (ACOG 222 2020; ACOG 713 2017)
Antepartum vs intrapartum vs postpartum drives management; postpartum HELLP typically nadirs 24–48 h after delivery (Sibai 1993 PMID 8238109)
Persistent RUQ / epigastric pain = severe feature + signal for hepatic capsular distension or subcapsular hematoma (ACOG 222 2020; Wicke 2004 PMID 14749644)
Persistent severe headache = severe feature; eclampsia precursor (ACOG 222 2020; Magpie 2002 PMID 12057549)
Scotomata / blurred vision / photopsia = severe feature; PRES precursor (ACOG 222 2020)
Recurrence 19–27 % in subsequent pregnancies (Sibai cohorts); next-pregnancy aspirin indication per USPSTF 2021 (PMID 34581729)
Pre-existing chronic HTN = substrate for superimposed pre-eclampsia / HELLP; CHAP target < 140/90 (Tita NEJM 2022 PMID 35363951)
< 100 K = HELLP criterion; Mississippi class I < 50 K, class II 50–100 K, class III 100–150 K (Sibai 2004 PMID 15121574); drives delivery urgency + transfusion thresholds
> 600 IU/L = hemolysis indicator + criterion for complete HELLP (Sibai 1993 PMID 8238109); LDH/AST ratio also informs TTP differential (LDH/AST > 4 favours TTP)
≥ 70 IU/L (≥ 2× ULN) = HELLP elevated-liver-enzyme criterion + severe feature (ACOG 222 2020)
< 25 mg/dL confirms intravascular hemolysis; LR+ ≈ 6 for hemolysis; absence does NOT rule out (ISSHP 2024)
Schistocytes ≥ 2/HPF confirm microangiopathic hemolysis; differentiates from non-hemolytic thrombocytopenia; also seen in TTP/aHUS (ISSHP 2024)
Cr ≥ 1.1 mg/dL or doubling = severe-feature criterion + HELLP-AKI complication; routes to neph.aki.core.v1 (ACOG 222 2020)
< 200 mg/dL signals consumptive coagulopathy / DIC progression; routes to heme.dic.v1 (RCOG GTG 52 2016)
≥ 160 = severe; sustained × 15 min triggers IV antihypertensive within 30–60 min (ACOG 767); HELLP overlay does not change severe-HTN threshold
≥ 110 = severe; same trigger as SBP (ACOG 222 2020)
Elevated ammonia + transaminitis + hypoglycemia suggests AFLP (Swansea) rather than HELLP (Ch'ng 2002 PMID 12427793)
ADAMTS13 < 10 % rules in TTP rather than HELLP; LR+ ≈ 15–20 (Scully J Thromb Haemost 2017 PMID 27868334); routes to heme.ttp.core.v1
Aspirin prophylaxis status per ACOG 222; LMWH if VTE history; ACE-I/ARB are teratogenic and must be discontinued
Bilirubin ≥ 1.2 mg/dL supports hemolysis; markedly elevated also signals AFLP differential (Ch'ng 2002 Swansea PMID 12427793)
INR > 1.5 with active bleeding signals DIC; drives FFP + cryoprecipitate replacement (ACOG 222 2020)
Glucose < 60 mg/dL is a Swansea criterion suggesting AFLP rather than HELLP (Ch'ng 2002 PMID 12427793); also drives DKA differential
UPCR ≥ 0.3 supports pre-eclampsia substrate; HELLP can occur WITHOUT proteinuria in ~10–20% (atypical HELLP per ISSHP 2024)
New tonic-clonic seizure in pregnancy / postpartum → magnesium load 4–6 g IV (Magpie 2002 PMID 12057549) + delivery + neuro imaging if focal/atypical
Painful uterine bleeding ± fetal distress signals placental abruption → emergent delivery + MTP anticipation; routes to ob.postpartum-hemorrhage.core.v1 (ACOG 222 2020)
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Severity triggers (10)
- informationallife_threateninghellp_class_1_mississippi_plt_below_50HELLP Mississippi class I — platelet count < 50 × 10⁹/L per Sibai 2004 (PMID 15121574); life-threatening; immediate delivery indication regardless of GA except in glucocorticoid window with strict tertiary-centre monitoring + maternal-fetal stability + no complicationsTrigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateninghellp_with_eclampsia_seizureHELLP + new tonic-clonic seizure (or coma) without alternative neurologic explanation (ACOG 222; Magpie Trial Lancet 2002 PMID 12057549)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateninghellp_with_abruption_or_dicHELLP + placental abruption (painful uterine bleeding ± fetal distress) OR overt DIC (fibrinogen < 200, INR > 1.5, schistocytes, D-dimer markedly elevated) per ACOG 222 + RCOG GTG 52 2016Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateninghellp_with_hepatic_hematoma_or_ruptureHELLP + subcapsular hepatic hematoma or hepatic rupture — RUQ / epigastric pain + falling Hgb + hemodynamic instability (Wicke 2004 PMID 14749644)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateninghellp_refractory_severe_htnSustained severe HTN ≥ 160/110 refractory to maximum IV bolus antihypertensives (labetalol cumulative 220 mg + hydralazine 30 mg) in HELLP patient → ICU + titratable drip (ACOG 767 + ACOG 222)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseverehellp_postpartum_persistent_or_progressiveHELLP failure-to-resolve at 48–72 h postpartum (persistent thrombocytopenia + hemolysis + transaminitis OR new AKI worsening) → broaden differential to AFLP / TTP / aHUS / SLE flare / viral hepatitis (ACOG 222 + ISSHP 2024)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseverehellp_remote_from_term_glucocorticoid_windowHELLP at 24+0 to 33+6 wk gestation + maternal-fetal stable + Mississippi class II/III (NOT class I) + tertiary centre + no complications → 48 h antenatal corticosteroid window (betamethasone 12 mg IM × 2 doses 24 h apart) then deliver OR sooner if deterioration (ACOG 222 + ACOG 713 + Roberts Cochrane 2017 PMID 28321847)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseverettp_or_ahus_overlap_featuresCoombs-negative MAHA + neuro symptoms + renal dysfunction + thrombocytopenia + ADAMTS13 result pending OR < 10 % → rule in TTP rather than HELLP (Scully J Thromb Haemost 2017 PMID 27868334); pregnancy-associated aHUS if persistent postpartum without ADAMTS13 deficiency (Fakhouri 2010 PMID 20203157)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseverehellp_class_progression_24hHELLP Mississippi class progression within 24 h: class III → class II (plt 100–150 → 50–100) OR class II → class I (plt 50–100 → < 50), OR rapidly rising AST/ALT > 2× baseline, OR new schistocytes on smear (ISSHP 2024)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseverehellp_acute_kidney_injuryHELLP + AKI (Cr ≥ 1.1 mg/dL OR doubling from baseline OR oliguria < 0.5 mL/kg/h × 6 h OR rising BUN) per ACOG 222 severe-feature criterion + KDIGO 2026 AKI stagingTrigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
Workflow calculators
Run this disease's risk and dosing calculators inline.
Recommended regimen
HELLP severity-driven — magnesium prophylaxis + BP control + antenatal corticosteroids if remote-from-term + delivery per Mississippi class + GA + complications (ACOG 222 + ISSHP 2024)- magnesium sulfatefirst lineanticonvulsant_neuroprotectantLoad 4–6 g IV over 15–30 min, then 1–2 g/h continuous × 24 h post-delivery (or 24 h post-last-seizure for eclampsia) • IV • continuoustriggers: hellp_recognition, severe_features, eclamptic_seizureMagpie 2002 (PMID 12057549) — magnesium reduces eclampsia by 58 %; NNT ≈ 100 in severe-features cohort; HELLP-severe-features qualify per ACOG 222rxcui 6585
outpatient playbook — drug actions (4)
- 1. aspirin 81 mgrxcui 119181–150 mg PO daily from 12 wk in next pregnancy • PO • dailytrigger: Prior HELLP / severe PE → high-risk per USPSTF 2021USPSTF 2021 (PMID 34581729) + ASPRE 2017 (PMID 28657417) — recurrence 19–27 % after HELLP
- 2. PO labetalol OR nifedipine ER OR methyldopaLabetalol 100–200 mg BID; nifedipine ER 30–60 mg daily; methyldopa 250 mg BID • PO • BID/dailytrigger: Postpartum BP ≥ 140/90 OR chronic-HTN substrateCHIPS 2015 (PMID 25629739) + CHAP 2022 (PMID 35363951) — target < 140/90
- 3. oral ferrous sulfate325 mg PO BID-TID • PO • BID-TIDtrigger: Postpartum anemia (Hgb 7–10 g/dL)WHO 2017 + ACOG 183 — first-line oral iron; ferritin > 50 + Hgb > 12 target
- 4. enoxaparin VTE prophylaxisrxcui 6710840 mg SC daily × 6 wk if surgical management / prolonged immobility • SC • dailytrigger: Cesarean / immobility / prior VTERCOG GTG 37a + ACOG 222 — postpartum VTE risk extends 6 wk
Auto-drafted A&P note
outpatientSubjective
- Possible entry pathways: HELLP lab triad: LDH > 600 + AST/ALT ≥ 70 + plt < 100 K (Sibai 1993 Tennessee; Sibai 2004 Mississippi; ACOG 222 2020); Platelets < 100 × 10⁹/L in pregnancy / postpartum (ACOG 222 severe-feature criterion); Hemolysis: LDH > 600 + schistocytes on smear + haptoglobin < 25 mg/dL ± elevated indirect bilirubin (ISSHP 2024).
Objective
- No vitals, labs, or imaging entered for this encounter.
Assessment
**HELLP Syndrome (Hemolysis / Elevated Liver enzymes / Low Platelets)** (ob.hellp-syndrome.v1). Phenotype framing: Phenotype HELLP per Mississippi class + Tennessee classification + GA + overlays per ACOG 222 + ISSHP 2024; rule out: AFLP (Swansea ≥ 6, hypoglycemia, ammonia), TTP (ADAMTS13 < 10 %, LDH/AST > 4), aHUS (postpartum persistent MAHA + AKI + normal ADAMTS13), SLE flare (positive ANA + dsDNA + low complements), viral hepatitis (HAV / HBV / HCV / HEV serologies), pre-existing thrombocytopenia (gestational vs ITP) Scope: Confirm HELLP diagnosis: Tennessee complete (all 3: LDH > 600 + AST/ALT ≥ 70 + plt < 100 K) vs partial (2 criteria) vs incomplete (1 criterion + clinical); assign Mississippi class (I < 50 K, II 50–100 K, III 100–150 K) per Sibai 1993/2004 + ACOG 222 (2020) + ISSHP 2024 No severity triggers fired against current inputs.
Plan
Regimen axis: **HELLP severity-driven — magnesium prophylaxis + BP control + antenatal corticosteroids if remote-from-term + delivery per Mississippi class + GA + complications (ACOG 222 + ISSHP 2024)** — step "Tier 1 — Magnesium sulfate seizure prophylaxis at HELLP recognition (Magpie 2002 PMID 12057549)". 1. magnesium sulfate Load 4–6 g IV over 15–30 min, then 1–2 g/h continuous × 24 h post-delivery (or 24 h post-last-seizure for eclampsia) IV continuous (anticonvulsant_neuroprotectant, first line) — Magpie 2002 (PMID 12057549) — magnesium reduces eclampsia by 58 %; NNT ≈ 100 in severe-features cohort; HELLP-severe-features qualify per ACOG 222 Setting playbook (outpatient) — Postpartum surveillance for HELLP through 6 wk (late deterioration window per ACOG 222; AHA 2021 postpartum-HTN surveillance), prevention with aspirin in next pregnancy (USPSTF 2021 PMID 34581729; ASPRE Rolnik NEJM 2017 PMID 28657417), recurrence counseling (19–27 %), psychosocial screen (PPH / HELLP increase PPD/PTSD risk), endocrine-renal review post-PE/HELLP (AHA 2021 + ACOG 2025), lifetime CV-risk surveillance (PE/HELLP doubles future CV risk) 2. aspirin 81 mg 81–150 mg PO daily from 12 wk in next pregnancy PO daily — Prior HELLP / severe PE → high-risk per USPSTF 2021 (USPSTF 2021 (PMID 34581729) + ASPRE 2017 (PMID 28657417) — recurrence 19–27 % after HELLP) 3. PO labetalol OR nifedipine ER OR methyldopa Labetalol 100–200 mg BID; nifedipine ER 30–60 mg daily; methyldopa 250 mg BID PO BID/daily — Postpartum BP ≥ 140/90 OR chronic-HTN substrate (CHIPS 2015 (PMID 25629739) + CHAP 2022 (PMID 35363951) — target < 140/90) 4. oral ferrous sulfate 325 mg PO BID-TID PO BID-TID — Postpartum anemia (Hgb 7–10 g/dL) (WHO 2017 + ACOG 183 — first-line oral iron; ferritin > 50 + Hgb > 12 target) 5. enoxaparin VTE prophylaxis 40 mg SC daily × 6 wk if surgical management / prolonged immobility SC daily — Cesarean / immobility / prior VTE (RCOG GTG 37a + ACOG 222 — postpartum VTE risk extends 6 wk) Non-pharmacologic actions: - BP self-monitoring training (AHA 2021) - Severe-feature symptom education + return precautions (ACOG 222) - Postpartum BP plan + 6-week comprehensive visit (ACOG 222 + ACOG 2025) - Lifetime CV follow-up education — PE/HELLP doubles future CV risk; annual screening (AHA 2021) - Next-pregnancy aspirin counseling: 81–150 mg PO daily from 12 wk per USPSTF 2021 - Endocrine-renal review at 6 wk (AHA 2021 + ACOG 2025) - Mental health support — refer to perinatal mental health if EPDS ≥ 10 or PTSD screen positive - Pre-pregnancy weight / BP optimisation for next pregnancy (ACOG 222 + ACOG 2025) - Contraception counseling: short-interval pregnancy (< 18 mo) increases recurrence risk per ACOG 736 - Vaccinations review AVOID / contraindication checks: - Never ACE ARB in pregnancy (ACOG 2020) - Never renin inhibitor in pregnancy (ACOG 2020) - Nitroprusside caution cyanide toxicity after 4h (ACOG 767) - Methylergonovine avoid in severe HTN HELLP (ACOG 2020) - NSAIDs avoid postpartum PE HELLP (ACOG 2020) - Check DTRs RR urine output with MgSO4 (ACOG 2020) - Mg level if AKI or oliguria (ACOG 2020) - Plt 50 K pre csection 20 K pre vaginal 70 80 K pre neuraxial per ASRA SOAP 2021 (Bauer 2021 PMID 33861047) - Do not delay delivery for steroid completion if life threatening (ACOG 222) - Recombinant factor VIIa only last resort thrombotic risk (RCOG GTG 52)
Monitoring
Regimen monitoring: - BP q15min during severe HTN treatment (ACOG 767) - BP q1h after control x 4h then q4h (ACOG 767) - continuous fetal monitoring when delivery pending (ACOG 2020) - MgSO4 DTRs q1h (ACOG 2020) - MgSO4 RR q1h minimum 12 per min (ACOG 2020) - MgSO4 urine output q1h minimum 30 mL per h (ACOG 2020) - Mg level if oliguria or AKI (ACOG 2020) - CBC LFT Cr LDH fibrinogen q4-6h in HELLP (ISSHP 2024) - peripheral smear q24h until schistocytes clearing (ISSHP 2024) - fetal kick counts q visit (ACOG 2020) - postpartum 72h continued deterioration window (ACOG 222) - postpartum BP daily x 1 wk weekly x 6 wk (ACOG 222 + AHA 2021) Setting (outpatient) monitoring: - BP daily × 1 wk → weekly × 6 wk + visits at 3–7 d, 1–2 wk, 4–6 wk (ACOG 222 + ACOG 2025) - CBC + LFT + Cr + LDH at 1–2 wk and 4–6 wk until normalised (ISSHP 2024) - EPDS + PTSD at 2-wk + 6-wk visits (ACOG 757) - Iron / ferritin at 2-wk visit, repeat at 6 wk if iron-deficient - Annual CV-risk screening (BP, lipids, glucose, BMI, UACR) lifelong post-HELLP (AHA 2021) Follow-up plan: BP + lab check 3–7 d postpartum + 1–2 wk + 4–6 wk per ACOG 222; lifetime CV risk follow-up (PE/HELLP doubles future CV risk per AHA 2021); next-pregnancy aspirin 81–150 mg PO daily from 12 wk per USPSTF 2021 (PMID 34581729) given recurrence 19–27 %; preconception counseling re recurrence risk; postpartum BP self-monitoring daily × 1 wk → weekly × 6 wk; psychosocial screen (PPH/HELLP increase PPD/PTSD risk); endocrine-renal review at 6 wk (lipid, fasting glucose / HbA1c, UACR, Cr, BMI per AHA 2021 + ACOG 2025) - Close-out criterion: Postpartum BP + recurrence counseling + next-pregnancy aspirin plan + lifetime CV surveillance documented Monitoring phase: Continuous fetal monitoring antepartum; BP q15min during severe-HTN treatment then q1h × 24 h then q4h (ACOG 767); magnesium toxicity (DTRs, RR ≥ 12, urine output ≥ 30 mL/h, Mg level if AKI per ACOG 222); CBC + LFT + LDH + Cr + fibrinogen q4–6 h until trending normal (faster in class I); peripheral smear q24 h until schistocytes clearing; daily fluid balance; postpartum 72-h continued deterioration window; lab trajectory (plt nadir 24–48 h postpartum then rise; AST/ALT trend down by 48 h; LDH normalises 3–5 d)
Disposition
Current setting: outpatient — Postpartum surveillance for HELLP through 6 wk (late deterioration window per ACOG 222; AHA 2021 postpartum-HTN surveillance), prevention with aspirin in next pregnancy (USPSTF 2021 PMID 34581729; ASPRE Rolnik NEJM 2017 PMID 28657417), recurrence counseling (19–27 %), psychosocial screen (PPH / HELLP increase PPD/PTSD risk), endocrine-renal review post-PE/HELLP (AHA 2021 + ACOG 2025), lifetime CV-risk surveillance (PE/HELLP doubles future CV risk) Disposition criteria: - 6-week postpartum visit: BP < 140/90 on PO regimen (or off), no severe features, labs normalised, endocrine-renal review complete, next-pregnancy aspirin counseling documented → transition to long-term annual CV surveillance (AHA 2021) - Iron repletion completed (ferritin > 50, Hgb > 12 × 4 wk) → discontinue iron supplementation - VTE prophylaxis completed at 6 wk post-surgical management → discontinue enoxaparin Escalation triggers (move to higher acuity): - New severe HTN ≥ 160/110 within 6 wk postpartum → ED for IV antihypertensive + magnesium prophylaxis (ACOG 767 + AHA 2021) - New severe-feature symptoms (HA / vision / RUQ pain) within 6 wk → ED (ACOG 222 postpartum window) - New seizure within 6 wk postpartum → ED for magnesium (late postpartum eclampsia; Magpie 2002 PMID 12057549) - New / persistent thrombocytopenia + hemolysis + AKI postpartum (failure to resolve at 72 h) → hematology / nephrology / MFM for AFLP / TTP / aHUS / SLE flare workup (ISSHP 2024) - EPDS ≥ 13 or active suicidal ideation → urgent perinatal mental health referral (ACOG 757)
Earlier-Return Triggers
Return-precaution thresholds (watch for): - [LIFE_THREATENING] HELLP Mississippi class I — platelet count < 50 × 10⁹/L per Sibai 2004 (PMID 15121574); life-threatening; immediate delivery indication regardless of GA except in glucocorticoid window with strict tertiary-centre monitoring + maternal-fetal stability + no complications - [LIFE_THREATENING] HELLP + new tonic-clonic seizure (or coma) without alternative neurologic explanation (ACOG 222; Magpie Trial Lancet 2002 PMID 12057549) - [LIFE_THREATENING] HELLP + placental abruption (painful uterine bleeding ± fetal distress) OR overt DIC (fibrinogen < 200, INR > 1.5, schistocytes, D-dimer markedly elevated) per ACOG 222 + RCOG GTG 52 2016
Citations
- ACOG Practice Bulletin 222 (2020, reaffirmed 2024) + ACOG 2025 update on severe-features pre-eclampsia management + ACOG 713 antenatal corticosteroids (2017) + ACOG 767 (severe HTN in pregnancy) + NICE NG201 (2023) + ISSHP 2024 (Mol et al; supersedes ISSHP 2021) + Sibai 1993 Tennessee classification + Sibai 2004 Mississippi classification review + Magpie Lancet 2002 + Roberts Cochrane antenatal steroids 2017 + Liggins 1972 betamethasone original + USPSTF aspirin 2021 + ASPRE NEJM 2017 + CHIPS NEJM 2015 + CHAP NEJM 2022 + Ch'ng Swansea AFLP 2002 + Scully ADAMTS13 / TTP consensus 2017 + Fakhouri pregnancy-associated aHUS 2010 + Wicke subcapsular hepatic hematoma in HELLP 2004 + Bauer ASRA neuraxial thrombocytopenia meta-analysis 2020 [PMID:8238109](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8238109/) - Cited evidence (PMID 15121574) [PMID:15121574](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15121574/) - Cited evidence (PMID 12057549) [PMID:12057549](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12057549/) - Cited evidence (PMID 28321847) [PMID:28321847](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28321847/) - Cited evidence (PMID 4561295) [PMID:4561295](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4561295/) Last reconciled with current guidelines: 2026-05-15.
- ACOG Practice Bulletin 222 (2020, reaffirmed 2024) + ACOG 2025 update on severe-features pre-eclampsia management + ACOG 713 antenatal corticosteroids (2017) + ACOG 767 (severe HTN in pregnancy) + NICE NG201 (2023) + ISSHP 2024 (Mol et al; supersedes ISSHP 2021) + Sibai 1993 Tennessee classification + Sibai 2004 Mississippi classification review + Magpie Lancet 2002 + Roberts Cochrane antenatal steroids 2017 + Liggins 1972 betamethasone original + USPSTF aspirin 2021 + ASPRE NEJM 2017 + CHIPS NEJM 2015 + CHAP NEJM 2022 + Ch'ng Swansea AFLP 2002 + Scully ADAMTS13 / TTP consensus 2017 + Fakhouri pregnancy-associated aHUS 2010 + Wicke subcapsular hepatic hematoma in HELLP 2004 + Bauer ASRA neuraxial thrombocytopenia meta-analysis 2020 — PMID:8238109
- Cited evidence (PMID 15121574) — PMID:15121574
- Cited evidence (PMID 12057549) — PMID:12057549
- Cited evidence (PMID 28321847) — PMID:28321847
- Cited evidence (PMID 4561295) — PMID:4561295