Citation

Mills AT, Davidson ME, Young P. Int. J. Obstet. Anesth. 2014; 23(2): 189-193.

Affiliation

Department of Anaesthetics, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Derriford, Plymouth, Devon, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijoa.2014.01.006

PMID

24631060

Abstract

Paracetamol is the most frequently used analgesic during pregnancy and the most common drug involved in suicidal overdose in the UK. Manifestation of toxicity classically occurs over four phases with clinical and laboratory features resembling HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome. We report a case that was erroneously managed as HELLP syndrome before a paracetamol overdose was diagnosed. This case highlights current practice in managing paracetamol overdose and focuses on the importance of addressing mental health issues to mitigate the risk of self-harm in pregnancy.

Language: en