Prenatal corticosteroid therapy for elevated liver enzyme/low platelet count syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Early preterm onset of elevated liver enzymes/low platelet count (ELLP) syndrome poses a significant management problem. CASE: Antepartum methylprednisolone, 40 mg/d intravenously was employed to stabilize ELLP syndrome, to achieve fetal lung maturity and to postpone delivery at 25 weeks and 5 days' gestation. Normalization of the liver transaminases and platelet count occurred with the use of corticosteroids, but sudden fetal death occurred at 28 weeks and 2 days' gestation. CONCLUSION: Prenatal corticosteroids may improve the biochemical and hematologic parameters of ELLP syndrome but may result in intrauterine death.