Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a clinical condition that threatens fet
al viability and even the mother's life when the severity of symptoms
almost completely prevents the intake of food. Parenteral nutrition (P
N) is a possible alternative. We present eight patients with HG. There
were 10 PN treatments because two of the patients required the treatm
ent twice. There were 9 central venous and 1 peripheral treatment deli
very. The average age of the patients was 27.5 yr. Gestational ages va
ried from 8 to 19 wk. PN treatments were formulated as amino acid and
glucose solutions (fat emulsions in 2 of the 8 cases) blended with vit
amins and electrolytes. These treatments lasted 5-16 days. Before PN d
eliveries were initiated, five of the patients presented some degree o
f protein-calorie and/or visceral protein malnutrition. All of them sh
owed minor liver dysfunction, which did not change during PN. Newborns
were term deliveries, except for one case of missed abortion. Results
show that PN constitutes a therapeutic alternative in cases of HG tha
t do not respond to the standard treatment of parenteral hydration and
antiemetics. In fact, symptoms disappear promptly, and no significant
complications arise.