Early diagnosis and management of postpartum hemolytic uremic syndrome with plasma exchange

The likelihood of survival in cases of postpartum hemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is as high as 80–90% with early diagnosis and aggressive treatment using plasma exchange (PE). The patients, referred to our center, diagnosed as postpartum HUS presented with thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anaemia with or without fever and severe renal failure, were managed aggressively with PE in conjunction with hemodialysis. All patients showed clinical improvement, along with laboratory indicators like normal renal function tests, increased platelet counts and decreased lactic dehydrogenase levels. Awareness amongst treating physicians, early diagnosis and treatment with PE could be the key factors in reducing maternal mortality due to postpartum HUS in developing countries.