Which laboratory finding is characteristic of HELLP syndrome?

Which laboratory finding is characteristic of HELLP syndrome?

• A. Hemolysis with elevated LDH and schistocytes, elevated AST/ALT, and low platelets.
• B. Hyperkalemia and high platelets.
• C. Hypoglycemia and normal liver enzymes.
• D. Low LDH and high platelet count.

Answer: (A)

HELLP stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets. This pattern reflects a severe form of preeclampsia where red blood cells are destroyed (hemolysis), the liver is stressed (liver enzymes like AST and ALT rise), and platelets are consumed leading to thrombocytopenia. In labs you’d expect to see evidence of hemolysis such as schistocytes on a peripheral smear and a high LDH level, elevated AST/ALT from hepatic involvement, and a low platelet count. The described combination—hemolysis with elevated LDH and schistocytes, along with elevated AST/ALT and low platelets—best fits HELLP syndrome. Other patterns, like hyperkalemia with high platelets, hypoglycemia with normal liver enzymes, or low LDH with high platelets, do not reflect this triad of hemolysis, liver injury, and low platelets.

HELLP stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets. This pattern reflects a severe form of preeclampsia where red blood cells are destroyed (hemolysis), the liver is stressed (liver enzymes like AST and ALT rise), and platelets are consumed leading to thrombocytopenia. In labs you’d expect to see evidence of hemolysis such as schistocytes on a peripheral smear and a high LDH level, elevated AST/ALT from hepatic involvement, and a low platelet count.

The described combination—hemolysis with elevated LDH and schistocytes, along with elevated AST/ALT and low platelets—best fits HELLP syndrome. Other patterns, like hyperkalemia with high platelets, hypoglycemia with normal liver enzymes, or low LDH with high platelets, do not reflect this triad of hemolysis, liver injury, and low platelets.