Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of adverse perinatal outcome
in women with hyperemesis gravidarum and identify prognostic factors.
Study design
This is a case–control study in which outcomes of first pregnancies were compared
between 254 women with hyperemesis gravidarum treated with intravenous fluids and
308 controls. Prognostic factors were identified by comparing the clinical profile
of patients with hyperemesis gravidarum with a normal and an adverse pregnancy outcome.
Binary responses were analyzed using either a Chi-square or Fisher exact test and
continuous responses were analyzed using a t-test.
Results
Women with hyperemesis gravidarum have over a 4-fold increased risk of poor outcome
including preterm birth and lower birth weight (p < 0.0001). Among maternal characteristics, only gestational hypertension had an influence
on outcome (p < 0.0001). Treatment as an outpatient and/or by alternative medicine (acupuncture/acupressure/Bowen
massage) was associated with a positive outcome (p < 0.0089). Poor outcomes were associated with early start of symptoms (p < 0.019), and treatment with methylprednisolone (p < 0.0217), promethazine (p < 0.0386), and other antihistamines [diphenhydramine (Benadryl), dimenhydrinate (Gravol),
doxylamine (Unisom), hydroxyzine (Vistaril/Atarax), doxylamine and pyridoxine (Diclectin/Bendectin)]
(p < 0.0151) independent of effectiveness. Among these medications, only the other antihistamines
were prescribed independent of severity: they were effective in less than 20% of cases
and were taken by almost 50% of patients with an adverse outcome.
Conclusion
Poor outcomes are significantly greater in women with HG and are associated with gestational
hypertension, early symptoms, and antihistamine use. Given these results, there is
an urgent need to address the safety and effectiveness of medications containing antihistamines
in women with severe nausea of pregnancy.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 28, 2013
Accepted:
April 30,
2013
Received in revised form:
March 22,
2013
Received:
December 14,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
