Sudden Unexpected Maternal Death from HELLP Syndrome: An Autopsy Case Report

Abstract

Hemolysis, Elevated liver enzymes, Low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome is a life threatening complication of pregnancy seen predominantly in pre-eclampsia cases. Only a few autopsy reports are available in literature due to the scarcity of such cases in forensic pathology as well as the current declining trend of such cases. The importance of the syndrome lies in its sudden, unexpected onset and fulminant course. The non specificity of the symptoms and absence of clinical signs of pre-eclampsia in a few cases may confuse the clinicians in making a definitive and timely diagnosis of the condition which may become the subject of suspected medical malpractice. In the medico legal context, it is important to gain sound understanding of the clinical and pathological aspects of the condition. The forensic diagnosis in cases of HELLP syndrome should be based on medical history, accepted laboratory criteria, autopsy findings and the characteristic histopathological alterations.