Epidemiology

HELLP syndrome occurs in approximately 1 to 8 per 1000 pregnancies.[9] In pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia, laboratory findings of HELLP are present in 2% to 20% of cases; in those complicated by eclampsia, HELLP is present in 10% to 30% of cases.[1][2][10][11][12][13][14]

Most patients present between 27 and 37 weeks' gestation. In 15% to 30%, HELLP is either expressed postpartum or progresses postpartum.[1][5]

HELLP is more common in white people in the US than in African-Americans or Hispanics. Although advanced maternal age (>35 years) is a significant risk factor, the mean maternal age at presentation is 23 to 25 years. About 10% of patients have multiple gestations.[1][5]

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