HELLP syndrome and COVID-19: A minor revision of a possible new "COVID-19-linked HELLP-like syndrome".

To report the characteristics described in the literature on a possible new "COVID-19-linked HELLP-like syndrome" in pregnant women with COVID-19: its association with the severity; prevalence; clinical; laboratory; pathophysiological and therapeutic management differences from the classic HELLP syndrome and their impact on outcomes. Observational, cohort, case-control, case-series and case-report studies were included. Data were extracted independently by the authors of the study, to ensure accuracy, consistency and performed the quality assessment. The database search resulted in 77 references, of which two satisfied the eligibility criteria. In these 2 studies we found a possible "COVID-19-linked HELLP-like syndrome", associated with severe COVID-19. There is a high possibility of the existence of "COVID-19-linked HELLP-like syndrome" and its association with severe COVID-19 in pregnant women, with a prevalence of 28,6%. Some characteristics of "COVID-19-linked HELLP-like syndrome" and the classic HELLP syndrome are similar. Differential diagnosis indicated two different types of therapeutic management: conservative for "COVID-19-linked HELLP-like syndrome" and delivery for the HELLP syndrome. HELLP clinical management is mandatory for both.

SARS-CoV-2 placentitis as a cause of intrauterine death of a fetus in a patient with covid-19 infection and ongoing HELLP syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: We hereby present a case of intrauterine death of a fetus due to placental damage by placentitis caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection in ongoing covid-19 disease and HELLP syndrome. CASE REPORT: In this case report, we describe a patient who experienced intrauterine death of a fetus and the development of HELLP syndrome in ongoing covid-19 infection. Placentitis caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection was identified as the cause of intrauterine death of a fetus. After the end of pregnancy, a patient experienced an improvement in the symptoms of covid-19 and also a gradual improvement and adjustment of laboratory and coagulation parameters. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy can be complicated by the development of SARS-CoV-2 placenitis, which can cause intrauterine death of a fetus. Covid-19 infection can even have similar signs to HELLP syndrome and therefore careful monitoring of pregnant women with covid-19 is recommended.

HELLP syndrome and HELLP-like syndrome in pregnancies with covid-19 - case reports.

OBJECTIVE: We present two case reports of severe course of covid-19 in pregnancy demonstrating similarity between covid-19 and HELLP syndrome. CASE REPORT: The first case report describes an asymptomatic course of covid-19 accompanied by elevation of liver enzymes and lactate dehydrogenase but low ratio of angiogenic bio-markers. No severe pregnancy complication occurred. All laboratory results had normalized after recovering from covid-19. The second case report describes a patient with elevated liver enzymes and lactate dehydrogenase which preceded a respiratory failure. Furthermore, one of the most feared complication of pregnancy occurred, namely hepatic rupture. After a delivery, the condition of the patient had been improving only slowly. It is not clear whether this condition represented a severe course of covid-19 or a concurrence of covid-19 and HELLP syndrome. CONCLUSION: A severe course of covid-19 in pregnancy may cause a dia-gnostic dilemma for its similarity between covid-19 and a specific complication of pregnancy - HELLP syndrome. This might lead to an unnecessary intervention and iatrogenic prematurity or underestimation of symptoms and delayed dia-gnosis of HELLP syndrome.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a pregnant women with treatment resistance thrombocytopenic purpura with and suspicion to HELLP syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) still is a global emergency. According to the studies, pregnant women are of the at risk populations and any underlying disease(s) might even worsen their condition. The aim of this study is reporting a complex case of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) during pregnancy who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 as well as suspicion of HELLP syndrome. CASE PRESENTATION: A 24-year-old woman with a platelet count of 6000/mL and resistance to conventional therapies was referred. A day after starting 0.5 g/day of methylprednisolone for her, fever and a decrease in SpO2 presented. According to the paraclinical investigations, COVID-19 was diagnosed and the conventional COVID-19 treatments started for her (the methylprednisolone pulse stopped). Due to the increased liver enzymes and low platelet count, with suspicion of HELLP syndrome, cesarean section surgery was performed which resulted in a healthy neonate. Then, the methylprednisolone pulse was restarted for and she developed an increase in the platelet count. CONCLUSION: It is not clear how COVID-19 and pregnancy affected the patient's condition and the underlying disease; however, it seems the delivery and/or restarting the methylprednisolone pulses caused improvement in her condition.

Inpatient obstetric management of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To describe inpatient management strategies and considerations for pregnant patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. FINDINGS: The novel coronavirus has posed challenges to both obstetric patients and the staff caring for them, due to its variable presentation and current limited knowledge about the disease. Inpatient antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum management can be informed by risk stratification, severity of disease, and gestational age. Careful planning and anticipation of emergent situations can prevent unnecessary exposures to patients and clinical staff. CONCLUSION: As new data arises, management recommendations will evolve, thus practitioners must maintain a low threshold for adaptation of their clinical practice during obstetric care for patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

Coronavirus 2019, Thrombocytopenia and HELLP Syndrome: Association or Coincidence?

The present report describes the case of a 31-year-old primigravida, with dichorionic twins at 31 weeks. She presented with history of myalgia, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort. No flu-like symptoms as fever or cough. She was not aware of exposure to COVID-19. Normal blood pressure and O2 saturation. Laboratory tests showed platelet count of 218,000 mm3, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 558 IU and serum creatinine 2.3 mg/dl. Doppler ultrasound in one twin was compatible with brain sparing. Partial hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome was the hypothesis, and a cesarean section was performed. On day 2, the white-cell count reached 33,730, with decreased consciousness and mild respiratory distress. Tomography revealed both lungs with ground-glass opacities. Swab for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive. Thrombocytopenia in patients with COVID-19 appears to be multifactorial, similar to what occurs in preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. We assume that the synergism of these pathophysiological mechanisms could accelerate the compromise of maternal conditions and could be a warning to the obstetric practice.

O presente relato descreve o caso de uma gestante de 31 anos, gemelar dicoriônica com 31 semanas, com queixa de mialgia, icterícia e desconforto abdominal. A paciente não apresentava sintomas gripais como febre ou tosse e não tinha conhecimento de exposição ao COVID-19. Pressão arterial e saturação de oxigênio normais. Os exames laboratoriais apresentaram contagem de plaquetas de 218,000 mm3, ALT 558 IU e creatinina 2.3 mg/dl. Doppler compatível com centralização de um dos fetos. Síndrome de hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP) parcial foi a hipótese diagnóstica inicial e a cesariana foi realizada. No segundo dia, a paciente apresentou leucócitos de 33.730 com queda do nível de consciência e desconforto respiratório leve. A tomografia revelou opacidade pulmonar em vidro fosco bilateralmente. A pesquisa de COVID-19 por polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/swab teve resultado positivo. Trombocitopenia em pacientes com COVID-19 é multifatorial, semelhante ao que ocorre na pré-eclâmpsia e na síndrome HELLP. Acreditamos que o sinergismo da fisiopatologia das doenças em questão pode acelerar o comprometimento materno e deve servir de alerta para a prática obstétrica.

Complicated COVID-19 in pregnancy: a case report with severe liver and coagulation dysfunction promptly improved by delivery.

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that pregnant women and their fetuses may be particularly at risk for poor outcomes due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. From the few case series that are available in the literature, women with high risk pregnancies have been associated with higher morbidity. It has been suggested that pregnancy induced immune responses and cardio-vascular changes can exaggerate the course of the COVID-19 infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year old Somalian woman (G2P1) presented with a nine-day history of shortness of breath, dry cough, myalgia, nausea, abdominal pain and fever. A nasopharyngeal swab returned positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Her condition rapidly worsened leading to severe liver and coagulation impairment. An emergency Caesarean section was performed at gestational week 32 + 6 after which the patient made a rapid recovery. Severe COVID-19 promptly improved by the termination of the pregnancy or atypical HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes and Low Platelet Count) exacerbated by concomitant COVID-19 infection could not be ruled out. There was no evidence of vertical transmission. CONCLUSIONS: This case adds to the growing body of evidence which raises concerns about the possible negative maternal outcomes of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and advocates for pregnant women to be recognized as a vulnerable group during the current pandemic.

Severe pre-eclampsia complicated by acute fatty liver disease of pregnancy, HELLP syndrome and acute kidney injury following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has presented many diagnostic challenges and uncertainties. Little is known about common pathologies complicating pregnancy and how their behaviour is modified by the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Pregnancy itself can alter the body's response to viral infection, which can cause more severe symptoms. We report the first case of a patient affected with sudden-onset severe pre-eclampsia complicated by acute fatty liver disease of pregnancy, HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet) syndrome and acute kidney injury following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although an initial diagnostic dilemma, a multidisciplinary team approach was required to ensure a favourable outcome for both the mother and the baby. Our case report highlights the need for health professionals caring for pregnant women to be aware of the complex interplay between SARS-CoV-2 infection and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.