Midtrimester triple test levels in women with severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome

Simon Shenhav, Ofer Gemer, Michael Volodarsky, Efraim Zohav, Shmuel Segal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. The levels of midtrimester triple test constituents are known to be altered in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Objective. Our aim was to determine whether midtrimester triple test constituent levels differ in women with severe preeclampsia and those who also develop HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome. Methods. A retrospective chart analysis of 106 women with severe preeclampsia for whom midtrimester triple test data were available was made. None of these patients had fetuses with abnormal karyotype, nor did they deliver infants with malformations. The levels of midtrimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (MShCG) and unconjugated estriol (MSuE3) of 74 patients with severe preeclampsia were compared with those of 32 patients who also developed HELLP syndrome. Results. The mean MShCG was significantly higher and the mean MSuE3 was significantly lower in patients with HELLP syndrome than in those with only severe preeclampsia [1.78 multiple of the medians (MoM), standard error (SE)0.18 vs. 1.27 MoM, SE 0.07, p = 0.015 and 0.86 MoM, SE 0.05 vs. 1.04 MoM, SE 0.07; p = 0.03, respectively]. The two groups did not differ significantly with regard to MSAFP levels. Conclusion. Unexplained high levels of midtrimester MShCG and low levels of MSuE3 may be associated with the development of HELLP syndrome in women with severe preeclampsia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)912-915
Number of pages4
JournalActa Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Volume82
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2003

Keywords

  • HELLP syndrome
  • Midtrimester triple test
  • Severe preeclampsia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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