Dexamethasone in HELLP syndrome: experience in Bolivia

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Abstract
Objective: To demonstrate the utility of dexamethasone, used according to the criteria of the attending physician, in patients with HELLP syndrome. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with HELLP syndrome and was based on the daily, real-life management of HELLP syndrome. Patients who received dexamethasone had it administered immediately after giving birth at a dosage of 8 mg every 8 hours for 72 hours, for a total of 72 mg. The analysis was conducted between patients who received corticosteroids and those who did not, with complete or partial HELLP. Results: There were 97 women who suffered complications from HELLP syndrome, there were 43 (44.3%) received dexamethasone. The groups were comparable except for the initial platelet count because this was the criterion used to divide the groups. In addition, the group without corticosteroids comprised more patients with partial HELLP. The platelet count shows that on the third day was similar in both groups, following a difference of more than 40,000 at the beginning of the study. The average platelet increase was 27,448 in the group without corticosteroids and 88,408 in the corticosteroid group; p = .001. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the administration of postpartum dexamethasone at a dosage of 8 mg every 8 hours for 72 hours in HELLP syndrome is associated with a significant increase in platelet count.

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