Human serum complement C3 and factor H in the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count.

Problem: Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome (HELLP syndrome) is a life-threatening variant of severe pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. The complement system may play a role in the pathogenesis of this condition. We sought to determine serum complement 3 (C3) levels and its regulatory protein complement factor H (FH) in the HELLP syndrome.

Method Of Study: Twenty-two pre-eclamptic patients with HELLP syndrome (mean age: 27.8 +/- 6.2 years), 21 pre-eclamptic patients without HELLP syndrome (mean age: 27.5 +/- 6.8 years) and 24 normotensive, healthy pregnant women (mean age: 26.1 +/- 4.4 years) were included in this study. Serum concentrations of C3 and FH were measured in all participants.

Results: Concentrations of C3 and FH did not differ significantly between the study groups. In patients with the HELLP syndrome, FH levels were positively associated with platelet count.

Conclusion: These findings did not support a major role of complement activation in the HELLP syndrome. In patients with HELLP, lower levels of FH are correlated with a reduced platelet count.