Serum haptoglobin values in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. In order to evaluate whether serum haptoglobin level in maternal blood can be used in early diagnosis, follow-up and treatment planning in preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, 49 cases diagnosed with preeclampsia and 13 cases diagnosed with HELLP syndrome were included in the study group, and 54 healthy pregnant women were included in the control group. Group cases were compared in terms of maternal serum haptoglobin level, platelet count, ALT, AST, LDH and uric acid levels. In addition, the age, obstetric histories and newborn outcomes of all cases were recorded and compared between groups. The mean haptoglobin result was 0.29±0.23 g/L in the HELLP syndrome group, 1.01±0.52 g/L in the preeclampsia group, and 1.16±0.37 g/L in the control group. The mean haptoglobin result was found to be lower in the HELLP syndrome group compared to the preeclampsia and control groups. While the differences between HELLP syndrome and the control group and preeclampsia group were statistically significant, no significant difference was found between the preeclampsia and control groups. In pregnant women with HELLP syndrome, haptoglobin, an important indicator of hemolysis, was markedly low in parallel with high ALT/AST, LDH, uric acid and low platelet. No significant change was observed in serum haptoglobin levels in preeclamptic pregnant women. It was determined that haptoglobin levels can be used together with other biochemical parameters in planning the early diagnosis and treatment of HELLP syndrome. Keywords: Hypertension, preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, haptoglobin