Subcapsular Liver Hematoma: A Rare Complication of HELLP Syndrome S. Ahmed, N.Higgins The National Maternity Hospital Dublin

INTRODUCTION

HELLP is a life-threatening pregnancy complication and is a variant of severe preeclampsia. It can occur in the antepartum or postpartum period and complicates 0.16- 0.25% of pregnancies. Major hepatic complications of HELLP include hepatic infarction, subcapsular liver hematoma and hepatic rupture. Subcapsular liver hematoma is thought to occur in 1%-2% of HELLP cases. . Subcapsular liver hematoma (SLH) is spontaneous bleeding between the Glisson's capsule and the liver parenchyma. Hepatic rupture is a potentially fatal complication of subcapsular liver hematoma with an incidence of 1:45000 to 1:225000 deliveries.