HELLPing Hands Preeclampsia/Eclampsia

HELLP Syndrome Education & Awareness

Pamela Apelskog, Michelle Duret, Ann Hicks, Jordan Ratliff

What is Preeclampsia, Eclampsia, and HELLP Syndrome?

• Preeclampsia is a hypertensive condition that arises in pregnant women mainly during the third trimester. The diagnosis refers to a set of symptoms rather than a specific cause. It seems to occur when substances from the placenta cause a dysfunction of the endothelial or inner walls of the blood vessels in a susceptible pregnant woman, leading to damage of the kidneys, liver, and blood vessels. Early onset preeclampsia occurs before 32 weeks, and is generally associated with increased rates of fatality.

• Eclampsia is a very serious complication of preeclampsia characterized by one or more seizures during pregnancy or in the post-partum period.

• HELLP syndrome is named for an abbreviation of the main symptomatic conditions used to diagnose the condition: hemolytic anemia, elevated liver enzymes, and a low platelet count. HELLP syndrome is a life-threatening complication of pregnancy, a sever variant of preeclampsia, that results in the breakdown of red blood cells, liver failure, and the blood's reduced ability to clot.

National Statistics• Among pregnant women

5-8% develop preeclampsia

• 15% of those women go on to develop the HELLP syndrome

• HELLP syndrome occurs in approximately 0.2 to 0.6% of all pregnancies

• Meaning that 48,000 women per year will develop HELLP

• These disorders account for an estimated 76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths each year

According to the CDC’s Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System in 2006-2007 alone these disorders accounted for 11.1% of pregnancy related deaths in the United States

Needs Assessment

We surveyed a sample of pregnant women..

– 60% did not know about Preeclampsia, Eclampsia, and HELLP Syndrome

– 60% did not Strongly Agree that Prenatal Doctor Visits and Follow-ups were important

– 90% had not been educated on the signs and symptoms of Preeclampsia, Eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome

Our Solution• Raise awareness of these disorders to help decrease

the frequency of the incidences

• Inform woman thinking about becoming pregnant of possible complications if they do not receive the proper care

• Provide and Inform on the resources/locations for prenatal care

• Offer FREE blood pressure and urine checks

Program Agenda– Pre-Test– Short presentation with information regarding

Preeclampsia, Eclampsia, and HELLP – Volunteer speakers on the importance of prenatal

care and checkups – Testimonials from women who have experienced one

or more of these disorders– Baby-Shower Style Games– Food and Refreshments– Post-Test– Questions/Answers Segment– Optional Free Blood Pressure and Urine Protein

Checks

What can be gained?

• Resources• Knowledge/Awareness• Increase in Prenatal Care

Similar Programs• March of Dimes - charitable nonprofit

organization in the United States. Its primary goal is education and prevention of premature births. www.marchofdimes.com

• Preeclampsia Foundation – empowered community working to improve diagnosis, management and prevention of preeclampsia through research and improved health care practices. http://www.preeclampsia.org/

Questions Asked Pre-Test Post-Test

The acronym HELLP stands for?

67% Correct 82% Correct

Importance of Prenatal Visits and Follow Ups

96% Strongly Agree 100% Strongly Agree

Best Physical Shape Before Pregnancy can lower

chance of health problems for mother and baby

82% Strongly Agree 96% Strongly Agree

Family History does not play role in potential

dangers in pregnancy

93% Correct in saying statement is False

100% Correct in saying statement is False

Why Program Will Be Successful?Pre-Post Test Results

Item Quantity Cost Each Cost TotalPrinting Services Donation from

Private Organization$150.00(Balance of $34.76)

Brochures 100 $0.69 $69.00

Flyers 25 $1.19 $29.75

Banner 1 $13.99 $13.99

Pre-Post Test Sheets 50 $0.05 $2.50

Food/Drinks Donation fromPrivate Organization

$150.00

Veggie Tray 2 $10.00 $20.00

Fruit Tray 2 $10.00 $20.00

6’ Sub (Feeds 20-25) 2 $64.49 $129.98

Supplies Donation from North Okaloosa Medical Center L&D Dept.

Blood Pressure Machine 1 0.00 0.00

Blood Pressure Cuff 50 0.00 0.00

Albustix Reagent Strips 100 0.00 0.00

Total $19.98

Program Budget

References

• http://www.hellpsyndrome.net/• http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/hellpsyndro

me.html• http://www.preeclampsia.org/health-information/hellp-syndrome• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000890.htm• http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/complications_HELLP.html• http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr50/nvsr50_05.pdf

Thank You!

Get Help Before It Is Too Late For HELLP!

Questions?