Severe Preeclampsia Complicated by Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and HELLP Syndrome: Case Report

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Published: Mar 18, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmscrs/v6-i3-17
Keywords:
severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, subarachnoid hemorrhage, pregnancy.

Main Article Content

Azucena Isabel Monge Díaz
Fourth-year Resident in Gynecology and Obstetrics, Facultad de Medicina Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Clínica Hospital Mérida, ISSSTE. Calle sin Nombre, Susulá, Yucatán, Mérida, México. CP 97314.
Guadalupe Ivette de los Ángeles Salas
Gynecology and Obstetrics Service, Facultad de medicina Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Clínica Hospital Mérida ISSSTE. Calle sin Nombre, Susulá, Yucatán, Mérida, México. CP 97314.
Yuselmy Alejandra Santoyo Pérez
Gynecology and Obstetrics Service, Facultad de medicina Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Clínica Hospital Mérida ISSSTE. Calle sin Nombre, Susulá, Yucatán, Mérida, México. CP 97314
David Arturo Moreno Zepeda
Gynecology and Obstetrics Service, Facultad de medicina Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Clínica Hospital Mérida ISSSTE. Calle sin Nombre, Susulá, Yucatán, Mérida, México. CP 97314.

Abstract

Introduction: Severe preeclampsia may progress to major neurological complications and HELLP syndrome (1,2). Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in this context is rare but associated with high maternal morbidity. Early recognition and multidisciplinary management are essential to improve maternal outcomes.


Case Presentation: A 35-year-old primigravida at 30 weeks of gestation presented to the obstetric emergency department, where a diagnosis of severe preeclampsia was made. A Kerr-type cesarean section was performed due to maternal–fetal deterioration. In the immediate postpartum period, she developed Mississippi Class II HELLP syndrome requiring management in the Obstetric Intensive Care Unit. She subsequently presented with headache and visual disturbances. Head CT revealed diffuse right frontoparietotemporal SAH (Fisher II) with vasogenic edema. Neurosurgical evaluation determined no need for urgent intervention. The patient improved with antihypertensive therapy, neuroprotection, and close monitoring.


Conclusions: SAH may occur as a postpartum complication in patients with preeclampsia/HELLP (7,8). Persistent headache or visual symptoms in these patients should prompt evaluation for intracranial hemorrhage. Multidisciplinary management is essential.

Article Details

How to Cite
Azucena Isabel Monge Díaz, Guadalupe Ivette de los Ángeles Salas, Yuselmy Alejandra Santoyo Pérez, and David Arturo Moreno Zepeda. 2026. “Severe Preeclampsia Complicated by Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and HELLP Syndrome: Case Report”. International Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Research Studies 6 (03):538-40. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmscrs/v6-i3-17.
Issue
Vol. 6 No. 03 (2026): Volume 06 Issue 03 March 2026
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Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Author Biography

Azucena Isabel Monge Díaz, Fourth-year Resident in Gynecology and Obstetrics, Facultad de Medicina Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Clínica Hospital Mérida, ISSSTE. Calle sin Nombre, Susulá, Yucatán, Mérida, México. CP 97314.

(ORCID ID: 0009-0005-1681-8848),

References

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VI. Postpartum HELLP syndrome. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2024.

VII. Mazur NK et al. Intracranial Hemorrhage in Pregnancy. J Clin Med. 2025.

VIII. Mohamed IA et al. SAH as complication of severe preeclampsia. 2025.