Börekçi B, Bebek Z, ‹ngeç M, Kadanal› S, Effects of Postpartum Corticosteroids in Patients with hellp syndrome

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Börekçi B, Bebek Z, ‹ngeç M, Kadanal› S, Effects of Postpartum Corticosteroids in Patients with HELLP Syndrome, 

Börekçi B, Bebek Z, ‹ngeç M, Kadanal› S, Effects of Postpartum Corticosteroids in Patients with HELLP Syndrome, 

J Turkish-German Gynecol Assoc, Vol. 9(2); 2008:79-83

J Turkish-German Gynecol Assoc, Vol. 9(2); 2008:79-83

79

Abstract

Effects of Postpartum Corticosteroids in Patients with HELLP Syndrome

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate and compare clinical and laboratory effects of dexamethasone and

betamethasone and standard therapy on patients with postpartum HELLP syndrome.

Materials and Methods: Sixty patients were included to this study all of whom were diagnosed of HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver

enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome. Patients were evaluated prospectively within three groups, each consisting of 20 wo-

men selected randomly. To the first group dexamethasone, to the second group betamethasone is administered. At the same time

1

st

and 2

nd

groups were administered MgSO

4

infusion. Third group was only administered standart MgSO

4

infusion therapy.

Results: Clinical was similiar between groups at the start of study. Within the first 42 hours there was no statistically

significant difference among the three groups in terms of platelet increasing rate. Exceeding 42 hours platelet increasing rate of dex-

amethasone group was significantly higher than other groups (p<0.005). In terms of urine output there were no

significant difference among the three groups within first 44 hours, however after exceeding 44 hours urine output was higher in

betamethasone group than other two groups. Among the three groups there were no statistically significant difference in terms of AST,

ALT, LDH decreasing rates, MAP values. In terms of major complications such as postpartum bleeding, eclampsia, acute renal failure

there were no significant difference among the three groups, just as in the time length of hospital staying.

Discussion: Based on these findings, from laboratory parameters, dexamethasone administration has a positive effect on

platelet increasing rate and from clinical parameters, betamethasone administration has a positive effect on urinary output.

However in this study, question of whether dexamethasone or betamethasone should be the agent of choice in HELLP

syndrome patients has not been answered clearly, thus we suppose that there is need for further studies in this subject.

Keywords: HELLP syndrome, corticosteroids, post-partum