Recurrence Risk of Hyperemesis Gravidarum

• Published in: Journal of midwifery & women's health Vol. 56; no. 2; pp. 132 - 136
• Main Authors: Fejzo, Marlena S., MacGibbon, Kimber W., Romero, Roberto, Goodwin, T. Murphy, Mullin, Patrick M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.03.2011; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Drugs; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Hyperemesis gravidarum; Hyperemesis Gravidarum - epidemiology; Hyperemesis Gravidarum - prevention & control; Nausea; Nursing; Nutrition; Parenteral nutrition; Pregnancy; Pregnancy complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnant women; Recurrence; Recurrent; Registries; Reproductive health; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Secondary Prevention; Vomiting; Web sites; Women; United States > US
• ISSN: 1526-9523; 1542-2011
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1542-2011.2010.00019.x

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to describe the recurrence risk for hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Methods: Women who registered on a Web site sponsored by the Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation as having had one HG‐complicated pregnancy were contacted to follow‐up on a subsequent pregnancy. Participants completed an online survey. Results: One hundred women responded. Fifty‐seven had become pregnant again, 2 were trying to conceive, 37 were not willing to get pregnant again because of HG, and 4 did not have a second pregnancy for other reasons. Among the 57 women who responded that they had become pregnant again, 81% reported having severe nausea and vomiting in their second pregnancy. Among the women reporting recurrent HG, 98% reported losing weight and taking prescribed medication for HG, 83% reported treatment with intravenous fluids, 20% reported treatment with total parenteral nutrition or nasogastric tube feeding, and 48% reported hospitalization for HG. Discussion: This study demonstrates both a high recurrence rate of HG and a large percentage of women who change reproductive plans because of their experiences with HG. Hyperemesis gravidarum has a high recurrence rate in subsequent pregnancies and often causes women to alter their reproductive plans