Hyperemesis gravidarum: its relationship to maternal immune response and thyroid function

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hormonal and hematological parameters of 34 study patients with hyperemesis gravidarum but without an y history of thyroid disease, and to compare these parameters to those of 2 8 control subjects. Serum beta -human chorionic gonadotropin (beta -hCG), t riiodothyronine (T-3). thyroxine (T-4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) a nd free thyroid index (FTI) levels in study patients were significantly hig her than those of control subjects. The mean lymphocyte count of the study patients (2690.61 +/- 651.38) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that of the controls (1615.92 +/- 447.98). A positive correlation between serum <beta>-hCG levels and lymphocyte count was found in the study patients but not in the control subjects (r = -0.19). A positive correlation between se rum beta -hCG levels and C-3 (r = 0.68; p < 0.001), as well as C-4 (r = 0.6 2; p < 0.01), was found in the study patients but not in the control subjec ts. In conclusion, maternal immune response may be related to the high beta -hC G levels, which possibly influence thyroid function in patients with hypere mesis gravidarum.