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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 [diphenhy- dramine (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.

This study is the first to analyze the relationship of psychiatric factors to risk of recurrence of HG. No factors were identified that increase the risk of recurrence including stress symptoms following a HG pregnancy. Psychological sequelae associated with HG are probably a result of the physical symptoms of prolonged severe nausea and vomiting, medication and/or hospitalization, and likely play no role in disease etiology.

Objective: Previously we reported on the increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in children exposed in utero to hyperemesis gravidarum. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of non-neurodevelopmental long-term health effects in children exposed in utero to hyperemesis gravidarum and to identify prognostic factors for these disorders. Study design:Long-term outcomes of 312 children from 203 mothers with hyperemesis gravidarum were compared to outcomes from 169 children from 89 unaffected mothers. The clinical profiles of patients having a child with an adverse outcome were then compared to the clinical profiles of patients having a child with a normal outcome to identify prognostic factors. Proportion tests were used to compare outcomes between variables with binary responses. Continuous responses were analyzed using a t-test.Results: Children exposed in utero to hyperemesis gravidarum have a 3.82-fold increase in odds of being diagnosed with a long-term health effect including allergies, chronic constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease, growth restriction (height and weight below 20 th percentile), lactose intolerance, chronic respiratory or ear infections, or sleep difficulties (p < 0.0005). Among hyperemesis gravidarum patients, women who took promethazine during pregnancy or began gaining weight later in their pregnancy (after 20 weeks) were more likely to have a child that was diagnosed with allergies (p=0.037 for promethazine and p=0.004 for late weight gain). Those who took antidepressants while pregnant were more likely to have a child with chronic constipation (p=0.029). Metoclopramide use during pregnancy was protective against having a child diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (p=0.014). Preterm delivery was significantly linked to growth restriction in a child (p=0.003). Both herbal medicine and homeopathics were also significantly linked to growth restriction (p=0.006 for herbal medicine and p=0.001 for homeopathics), as well as to sleep difficulties (p=0.017 for herbal medicine and p=0.013 for homeopathics). Peripherally inserted central catheter and Dolasetron use were linked to having a child with respiratory or ear infections (p=0.006 for PICC and p=0.038 for Dolasetron). Conclusion:Women with hyperemesis gravidarum are at a significantly higher risk of having a child with long-term health effects. This study demonstrates the need for further analyses to address whether hyperemesis gravidarum itself or certain herbal and prescribed medications taken during pregnancy are responsible for the increased risk.