[Ethnic predisposition of the severity of HELLP syndrome. Retrospective study of 12 cases including 5 during post-partum].

HELLP syndrome is characterized by association of haemolysis (H), elevated liver enzymes (EL), and low platelets (LP). From 1989 to 1991, we studied retrospectively 12 cases of HELLP syndrome cases that occurred during the third trimester for 7 cases and during post-partum for 5 cases. 83% of patients (10/12) were black people (African or Creole). The most frequent sign of HELLP syndrome during pre- and post-partum was epigastric or dorsal pain, present in 91% of the cases (11/12) and in all cases of preeclampsia. Aggressive treatment was always performed, leading to 12 births: 7 of the 12 children were hypotrophic for gestational age. There were no maternal or neonatal deaths. Post-partum HELLP syndrome occurred 28.8 hours (mean) after delivery. Whether HELLP syndrome occurred during pre- or post-partum, laboratory findings returned to normal levels after equivalent delays: platelets 57 hours, ASAT 68 hours and ALAT 65 hours.