Liver dysfunction in late pregnancy: cytomegalovirus-induced hepatitis or the HELLP syndrome?

J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2001 Dec;27(6):319-23. doi: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2001.tb01279.x.

Abstract

A 27-year-old primiparous preeclamptic woman developed a skin rash in late pregnancy and was persistently febrile for 10 days after giving birth. Blood tests suggested that she developed the HELLP syndrome and had concomitant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Hemolysis, slightly impaired liver function, and thrombocytopenia were explainable by either only the CMV infection or only the HELLP syndrome. A literature review of a limited number of such cases and our case suggests that laboratory data in patients with CMV infection can mimic those of the HELLP syndrome. Thus, it may be important to consider CMV infection as a possible cause of abnormal laboratory data similar to the HELLP syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / blood
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • HELLP Syndrome / blood
  • HELLP Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / blood
  • Liver Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / blood
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third