The dexamethasone group showed meaningful improvements in several variables. After 48 hours, the women who received dexamethasone has a significantly reduced mean arterial pressure at 115 mm Hg v 94 m Hg, P < 0.05 and mean asparatate aminotransferase level at 100 IU/1 v 50 IU/1; P < 0.05. Their urine output also improved at 60 ml/h v 40 ml/h; P < 0.05 and a mean platelet count at 115-000 v 70 000; P < 0.05. The researchers concluded that their findings supported a high dose corticosteroid treatment of women with the HELLP syndrome. Although three control patients showed infectious complications, there were no statistically significant differences in morbidity. As part of nursing and medical management, dexamethasone is often given to women with this condition and are between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation at risk of pre-term delivery to accelerate the maturation of fetal lungs (Matchaba and Moodley 2005). While the HELLP Syndrome is an uncommon disorder, it happens frequently enough to warrant preparation and the start of proper management. Dexamethasone is cheap and available almost universally. And although the studies are comparatively small, the findings illustrate a clear benefit if corticosteroids are started early. Fetal complications, such as growth retardation and low birth weight, are unlikely in humans. There are no concerns for harm on the fetus, either. The treatment of antepartum cases with corticosteroid is relatively brief and the time to delivery is also fast. And repeated corticosteroid treatments are not an issue (Matchaba and Moodley).

The preponderance of current evidence is the basis for recommendation that women with the HELLP syndrome, both antepartum and post partum, should receive...

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