HELLP syndrome is a clinical-analytical entity defined by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, elevated liver enzymes, and thrombocytopenia. Liver involvement in this syndrome is common to several liver diseases. Some of these liver diseases are inherent to pregnancy (acute fatty liver of pregnancy, gestational intrahepatic cholestasis), while others are related to intercurrent disease (acute viral hepatitis) or to previous chronic liver disease. We report a case of postpartum diagnosis of chronic liver disease secondary to Wilson disease, with onset in the third trimester of pregnancy and HELLP syndrome associated with acute liver failure and coagulopathy. We review the differential diagnosis and the scientific literature on the topic.
A correct differential diagnosis of HELLP syndrome is important because this syndrome is not always secondary to gestational preeclampsia and can be the starting point for the diagnosis of other acute or chronic liver diseases.