Q: Dexamethasone is recommended for the treatment of HELLP syndrome - True or False?


Answer: False

Dexamethasone has been used traditionally in HELPP syndrome, but major large studies failed to show any benefits. Dexamethasone does not reduce the duration of hospitalization, the rate of blood products transfusion, any organ failure, time of recovery of coagulation or liver profiles, time of postpartum recovery, or any clinical parameter. Also,  Dexamethasone is not recommended by the ACOG task force.


 References: 

1.  Fonseca JE, Méndez F, Cataño C, Arias F. Dexamethasone treatment does not improve the outcome of women with HELLP syndrome: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2005; 193:1591. 

2. Woudstra DM, Chandra S, Hofmeyr GJ, Dowswell T. Corticosteroids for HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2010; :CD008148.