Hepatic dysfunction, thrombocytopenia and late-onset preeclampsia. A report of three cases.

The diagnosis of preeclampsia near term is seldom difficult, even when complicated by altered liver function, hemolysis and thrombocytopenia. Three patients recently presented before term with thrombocytopenia, abnormal liver function tests and hemolytic anemia (two cases), with development of hypertension and proteinuria after days to weeks. Numerous disease processes during pregnancy are characterized by a similar presentation. Many of these cases may represent severe preeclampsia, previously unrecognized.