HELLP syndrome is a serious complication of severe pregnancy induced hypotension. It stands for elevated high blood pressures, elevated liver function test, low platelets and blood clotting disorders. It’s a condition that’s extremely rare and we only see it in 1 to 2 per 1000 pregnancies. We’re not sure why it happens, but once it’s diagnosed, immediate delivery of the fetus is necessary. Maternal complications, if left untreated, can be liver and kidney failure, placenta abruption, the need for an emergent cesarean section, seizures and death. For a premature fetus sometimes corticosteroids are needed to help with lung function. And of course, if the baby is premature, then the hyaline membrane disease is not unusual as well.