MATERNAL AND FETAL OUTCOMES IN HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM

Objective: This study sought to evaluate maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes among women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Methods: W e performed a retrospective analysis of pregnancy records of obstetric admissions during a 6-year period. Women treated as out-patients for hyperemesis were also identified. Hyperemesis was defined as excessive nausea and vomiting resulting in dehydration, extensive medical thera py, and/or hospital admission. Statistical analysis was by t-test and chi square. Results: We identified 193 women (1.5%) who developed hype remesis among 13053 women. Racial status, marital status, age, and gra vidity were similar between the hyperemesis patients and the general p opulation. However, there were less women with hyperemesis who were pa ra 3 or greater. Forty-six women (24%) required hospitalization for hy peremesis, mean hospital stay 1.8 days, range 1-10 days. One patient r equired parenteral nutrition, two had yeast esophagitis, none had HIV infection, psychiatric pathology or thyroid disease. Pregnancy outcome s between hyperemesis patients and the general population were similar for mean birth weight, mean gestational age, deliveries less than 37 weeks, Apgar scores, perinatal mortality or incidence of fetal anomali es. Our incidence of hyperemesis (1.5%) is similar to that of other pu blished reports. Conclusion: Women with hyperemesis have similar demog raphic characteristics to the general obstetric population, and have s imilar obstetric outcomes. Copyright (C) 1996 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.