PROBLEM: Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome 
(HELLP syndrome) is a life-threatening variant of severe pre-eclampsia in 
pregnant women. The complement system may play a role in the pathogenesis of 
this condition. We sought to determine serum complement 3 (C3) levels and its 
regulatory protein complement factor H (FH) in the HELLP syndrome.
METHOD OF STUDY: Twenty-two pre-eclamptic patients with HELLP syndrome (mean 
age: 27.8 +/- 6.2 years), 21 pre-eclamptic patients without HELLP syndrome (mean 
age: 27.5 +/- 6.8 years) and 24 normotensive, healthy pregnant women (mean age: 
26.1 +/- 4.4 years) were included in this study. Serum concentrations of C3 and 
FH were measured in all participants.
RESULTS: Concentrations of C3 and FH did not differ significantly between the 
study groups. In patients with the HELLP syndrome, FH levels were positively 
associated with platelet count.
CONCLUSION: These findings did not support a major role of complement activation 
in the HELLP syndrome. In patients with HELLP, lower levels of FH are correlated 
with a reduced platelet count.