Recurrence risks of hypertensive diseases in pregnancy after HELLP syndrome.

Aim: To determine the recurrence risk for hypertensive diseases in pregnancy after HELLP (Hemolysis Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets) syndrome in a first pregnancy.

Methods: The study was designed as a cohort study investigating 148 Caucasian primiparae with a diagnosis of HELLP syndrome in a first pregnancy and at least one subsequent pregnancy conducted beyond the 24th gestational week. Diagnoses were verified by reviewing medical records and classified according to ISSHP (International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy) criteria.

Neither maternal nor fetal mutation (E474Q) in the alpha-subunit of the trifunctional protein is frequent in pregnancies complicated by HELLP syndrome.

Objective: An association between maternal HELLP syndrome and fetal long chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency has been proposed. LCHAD catalyzes the third step in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids in mitochondria. Whereas about 75% of LCHAD-deficient patients carry a G-to-C mutation at nucleotide position 1528 (Glu474Gln, E474Q) on both chromosomes, compound heterozygosity for E474Q on one chromosome and a second different LCHAD mutation on the other can be observed in up to 25% of LCHAD-deficiency cases; only very few patients carry two mutations different from E474Q.

Maternal serum interleukin-1 beta, -6 and -8 levels and potential determinants in pregnancy and peripartum.

Aims: To measure maternal serum interleukins (IL) in pregnancy, delivery and early puerperium, and to identify their potential determinants.

Methods: Prospective longitudinal measures of serum IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8 in 38 healthy pregnant women at antenatal visits, through labor and delivery, with clinical correlates (infection, vaginal hemorrhage and anemia) recorded by questionnaire.

Results: Pregnancy IL levels remained consistently low.