HELLP syndrome and placenta malformation

[nat31]

Two years ago I had HELLP and was force to deliver my baby at 27 weeks of pregnancy. She weighed 600 grammes. I was 31 years old.
I would like to know what are the risks of reoccurance considering the following factors: I had a malformation of the placenta and an infractus of it. I am now 33 years old and would like to know if age is a factor.

Also, I would like to know if injections of vitamines C during the second and third semester really plays a role in the outcomes as well as baby aspirin and monitoring of the placenta formation.

[expert on call]

Without more specific information I can only speculate but let me try to give you some information that may be of help.

First, the recurrence risk of preeclampsia of some degree probably
exceeds 60%. The good news however is that recurrent severe preeclampsia or recurrent HELLP Syndrome has a much lower recurrence risk, ranging from 5-15%. Also, if placental infarct is the only placental abnormality, then this finding may actually be more a result of the process that led to your developing HELLP than the cause of the HELLP. Lastly, while no clear preventive strategies have been proven to be successful in all cases, I see no harm in pursuing a course of calcium supplementation, Vitamins C and E ( which may be taken orally, injections are not necessary), and low dose aspirin, after you have discussed the relative risks and benefits of these strategies with your physician.

Good luck.

Expert on Call

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[expert@preeclampsia.org]

Editor Update: please read the updated study results on the use of vitamin/antioxidant supplements during pregnancy here:

http://www.preeclampsia.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15819

As always, please contact your doctor before adding or discontinuing any medical treatment.