Successful management of hyperemesis gravidarum using steroid therapy

Hyperemesis gravidarum causes uncontrollable vomiting, severe dehydration and muscle wasting in pregnancy and usually requires weeks or months of intravenous fluid therapy. A consecutive series of 7 women with hyperemesis gravidarum were treated with high-dose steroid therapy. Vomiting stopped within 3 h of the first dose of intravenous hydrocortisone in all patients. Maintainence oral prednisolone therapy in doses up to 45 mg/day permitted discharge from hospital within days, resumption of normal eating, reversal of muscle wasting and regain of lost weight (mean loss from prepregnant weight 10.5 +/- 4.3 kg). Prednisolone in doses of 15 mg/day or more was required for 10.6 +/- 4.7 (range 6-20) weeks. High-dose prednisolone therapy is effective in suppressing symptoms of intractable hyperemesis gravidarum and allowing normal maternal nutrition.      

妊娠期剧吐与妊娠期高血压、妊娠期糖尿病、妊娠结局的关系研究

目的分析妊娠期剧吐与妊娠期高血压、妊娠期糖尿病、妊娠结局的关系。方法回顾性选取2017年1月至2019年1月我院收治的200例孕产妇,依据妊娠期剧吐发生情况将其分为有妊娠期剧吐组(n=20)和无妊娠期剧吐组(n=180)。比较两组的妊娠期高血压、妊娠期糖尿病发生情况及妊娠结局。结果两组的妊娠期高血压、妊娠期糖尿病发生率无显著差异(P>0.05)。有妊娠期剧吐组的早产儿、小于胎龄儿、低出生体重儿发生率显著高于无妊娠期剧吐组(P<0.05),但两组的新生儿5 min Apgar评分≤7分、死胎发生率比较,差异均不显著(P>0.05)。结论妊娠期剧吐与妊娠期高血压、妊娠期糖尿病、新生儿5 min Apgar评分≤7分、死胎无关,与早产儿、小于胎龄儿、低出生体重儿相关,临床可通过积极干预妊娠期剧吐、强化孕检,有效改善妊娠结局。     

Pulsed steroid therapy is an effective treatment for intractable hyperemesis gravidarum

OBJECTIVE: Intractable hyperemesis gravidarum remains a serious cause of morbidity among pregnant women. If not controlled, hyperemesis gravidarum can lead to severe disability, electrolyte and acid base imbalance, and even various organ system dysfunctions. From the successful use of steroids for chemotherapy-induced emesis, corticosteroids might prove useful in hyperemesis gravidarum. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of pulsed hydrocortisone therapy with that of metoclopramide for the management of intractable hyperemesis gravidarum. DESIGN: Prospective, double-blind study. SETTING: Intensive care unit of Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. PATIENTS: Forty patients aged 19-34 yrs having a normal appearing intrauterine pregnancy, of < or =16 wks gestation, admitted to the intensive care unit with intractable hyperemesis meeting the study criteria. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous hydrocortisone 300 mg as a daily dose or intravenous metoclopramide 10 mg 3 times daily. After 3 days the hydrocortisone was tapered completely during the course of 1 wk, whereas the metoclopramide was continued without change for 1 wk. Patients were followed up daily during the therapy course and for 2 wks following intensive care unit discharge. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in vomiting episodes in the hydrocortisone group compared with the metoclopramide group (p < .0001). Within-patient analyses showed a significant reduction in mean vomiting episodes in the hydrocortisone group within the first 3 days (p < .0001). No patients from the hydrocortisone group but six of the patients receiving metoclopramide were readmitted for intractable vomiting within 1 wk from discharge. Five of them showed improvement on intravenous hydrocortisone therapy. CONCLUSIONS: A short course of hydrocortisone is an effective treatment for intractable hyperemesis gravidarum.     

Plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities increase in women with hyperemesis gravidarum

OBJECTIVES: To investigate plasma activities of 5'-nucleotidase, a key enzyme in the production of adenosine and evaluate the relationship between changes in 5'-nucleotidase activities and pregnancy-related hormones, estrogen, progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities and estradiol, progesterone and hCG levels were measured in 21 women with hyperemesis gravidarum and normal pregnancies, matched for age, parity and gestational week. RESULTS: In women with hyperemesis gravidarum, plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities averaged 8.1 +/- 0.6 IU/L, which were significantly increased compared to those in normal pregnant women (5.5 +/- 0.5 IU/L)(p < 0.05). The increases in plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities were accompanied by elevations of plasma estradiol, progesterone and hCG levels. CONCLUSIONS: The increase of plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities may be at least partly attributed to elevations of pregnancy-related hormones, suggesting changes in purine metabolism in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.     

Plasma adenosine concentrations increase in women with hyperemesis gravidarum

BACKGROUND: Adenosine is an important metabolic modulator and its concentrations are affected by sympathetic nerve stimulation and cytokine production. Since hyperemesis gravidarum is characterized by overactivation of sympathetic nerves and enhanced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, plasma adenosine concentrations may be altered. The present study evaluated plasma adenosine concentrations and their relation with norepinephrine and TNF-alpha concentrations in hyperemesis gravidarum. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of adenosine, norepinephrine, and TNF-alpha were measured in 34 healthy nonpregnant women, and 34 women with hyperemesis gravidarum and normal pregnancies, matched for age, parity and gestational week. The relationships between plasma adenosine, and norepinephrine and TNF-alpha concentrations in hyperemesis gravidarum were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean plasma adenosine, norepinephrine, and TNF-alpha concentrations were significantly increased in women with hyperemesis gravidarum compared to those in nonpregnant and normal pregnant women (p<0.05). The increase in plasma adenosine concentrations correlated with the increase of norepinephrine and TNF-alpha in hyperemesis gravidarum (r=0.50, p<0.05 and r=0.43, p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Adenosine is an established suppressor of excessive sympathetic nerves activation and cytokine production, so the increase in plasma adenosine in hyperemesis gravidarum might serve to counteract further progression of hyperemesis gravidarum.     

Plasma adenosine concentrations increase in women with hyperemesis gravidarum

BACKGROUND: Adenosine is an important metabolic modulator and adenosine concentrations are affected by sympathetic nerve stimulation and cytokine production. Since hyperemesis gravidarum is characterized by overactivation of sympathetic nerves and enhanced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, plasma adenosine concentrations may be altered. The present study evaluated plasma adenosine concentrations and their relation with norepinephrine and TNF-alpha concentrations in hyperemesis gravidarum. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of adenosine, norepinephrine, and TNF-alpha were measured in 34 healthy nonpregnant women, and 34 women with hyperemesis gravidarum and normal pregnancies, matched for age, parity and gestational week. The relationships between plasma adenosine, and norepinephrine and TNF-alpha concentrations in hyperemesis gravidarum were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean plasma adenosine, norepinephrine, and TNF-alpha concentrations were significantly increased in women with hyperemesis gravidarum compared to those in nonpregnant and normal pregnant women (p<0.05). The increase in plasma adenosine concentrations correlated with the increase of norepinephrine and TNF-alpha in hyperemesis gravidarum (r=0.50, p<0.05 and r=0.43, p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Adenosine is an established suppressor of excessive sympathetic nerves activation and cytokine production, so the increase in plasma adenosine in hyperemesis gravidarum might serve to counteract further progression of hyperemesis gravidarum.     

Serum adenosine deaminase activity in women with hyperemesis gravidarum

BACKGROUND: Serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity increases in diseases where cellular immunity is stimulated. Since hyperemesis gravidarum is characterized by enhanced cell-mediated immunity, serum ADA activity may be altered. The present study evaluated the relation between serum ADA activity and changes in cell-mediated immunity as causes of changes in ADA activity in hyperemesis gravidarum. METHODS: Serum activities of total ADA and its isoenzymes, ADA1 and ADA2, were measured in women with hyperemesis gravidarum (n = 24) and normal pregnancies (n = 24). Peripheral blood lymphocyte and monocyte counts were also measured. RESULTS: In hyperemesis gravidarum, serum total ADA and ADA2 activities averaged 16.8 +/- 0.5 and 13.3 +/- 0.7 U/l, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in normal pregnancies (10.2 +/- 0.5 and 7.8 +/- 0.5 U/l, respectively) (p < 0.05). The mean values for ADA1 activity in women with hyperemesis gravidarum and normal pregnancies were similar. The increase in total ADA activity was accompanied by the increase in lymphocyte and monocyte counts. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that increased serum total ADA activity reflects increases in ADA2 activity, which may be at least in part attributed to enhanced cell-mediated immunity in hyperemesis gravidarum.     

Manual acupuncture reduces hyperemesis gravidarum: a placebo-controlled, randomized, single-blind, crossover study

Hyperemesis gravidarum, severe vomiting, develops in about 1-2% of all pregnancies. Acupuncture on the point PC6 above the wrist on the palmar side has been found to prevent some types of nausea and vomiting. The purpose of the present study was to see if acupuncture, in addition to standard treatment, could hasten the improvement of hyperemesis gravidarum. Thirty-three women with hyperemesis were evaluated in a randomized, single-blind, crossover comparison of two methods of acupuncture, active (deep) PC6 acupuncture or placebo (superficial) acupuncture. The women estimated their degree of nausea on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The daily number of emesis episodes were documented. Crossover analyses showed that there was a significantly faster reduction of nausea VAS and more women who stopped vomiting after active acupuncture than after placebo acupuncture. This study suggests that active PC6 acupuncture, in combination with standard treatment, could make women with hyperemesis gravidarum better faster than placebo acupuncture.     

Emergency management of hyperemesis gravidarum

Most pregnant women experience morning sickness during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Often, the symptoms are mild, but recurring, nausea and vomiting; but the condition can also lead to dehydration, weight loss, electrolyte imbalance and blood volume depletion, and many women with more severe forms of the condition present to emergency departments. This article describes the presenting symptoms, causes of hyperemesis gravidarum, the associated clinical signs and complications, and the most common treatments offered.     

Effect of Nei-Guan point (P6) acupressure on ketonuria levels, nausea and vomiting in women with hyperemesis gravidarum

AIM: This paper is a report of a study to examine the effect of Nei-Guan point acupressure on nausea, vomiting and ketonuria levels in women diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that acupressure application on the Nei-Guan point is effective in relieving nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy and surgery. However, no findings have been supported by physiological data. METHOD: A randomized control group pretest-post-test design was implemented from 1 April 2003 to 30 April 2004 using three groups: a Nei-Guan point acupressure group, a placebo group and a control group which received only conventional intravenous treatment. The participants were 66 women admitted to two general hospitals in Korea with hyperemesis gravidarum. RESULTS: The degree of nausea and vomiting was statistically significantly lower in the Nei-Guan point acupressure group in comparison with the placebo and control groups. Ketonuria levels were reduced over time and, on days three and four of hospitalization, levels in the treatment group were statistically significantly lower than in the placebo or control groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Nei-Guan point acupressure is a useful treatment for relieving symptoms experienced by women with hyperemesis gravidarum.     

血清β-羟丁酸在糖尿病酮症酸中毒和妊娠剧吐中的诊断价值

目的 探讨血清β-羟丁酸测定在糖尿病酮症酸中毒(DKA)和妊娠剧吐中的诊断价值.方法 采用酶速率法测定血清β-羟丁酸浓度,对糖尿病酮症酸中毒、糖尿病无酮症(NDK)、健康对照、妊娠剧吐孕妇、正常孕妇组进行β-羟丁酸检测,同时对其进行尿酮体和血糖检验.结果 DKA的β-羟丁酸浓度和阳性率显著高于NDK组(P＜0.01)和对照组(P＜0.01);NDK组的β-羟丁酸浓度与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);DKA尿酮体阳性率显著高于NDK组(P＜0.01)和对照组(P＜0.01).妊娠剧吐组的β-羟丁酸浓度和阳性率显著高于正常孕妇组(P＜0.01);妊娠剧吐组的尿酮体阳性率显著高于正常孕妇组(P＜0.01).结论 β-羟丁酸对DKA和妊娠剧吐的早期诊断具有重要的诊断价值,对鉴别诊断和治疗的疗效观察具有重要意义,联合血糖、尿酮体等同时检测更能全面诊断和分析疾病.     

Dehydration and Orthostatic Vital Signs in Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Objectives: To assess the hydration status of women presenting to an ED with hyperemesis gravidarum and to determine whether clinically relevant changes in orthostatic vital signs occur.
Methods: A convenience sample of 23 pregnant women who had hyperemesis gravidarum, with each patient serving as her own control. The study took place in the ED observation unit of an urban teaching hospital. Women who had pregnancies of ≤16 weeks' gestation who had been vomiting for at least 24 hours were included. Supine and standing pulse rates and blood pressures (BPs) were measured sequentially after 5 minutes in each position. Patient weight and urine specific gravity (SG) also were recorded. After 6 L of lactated Ringer's solution was infused over a 12-hour period, the same measurements were repeated. Pre- and posthydration changes were analyzed using the paired t-test.
Results: The mean treatment weight gain as a percentage of the total body weight was 5.6% ± 2.2% (mean ± SD). The urine SG decreased from 1.027 ± 0.004 to 1.008 ± 0.003 (p < 0.001). The mean change in systolic BP upon assuming the standing position was -8.3 ± 12.7 mm Hg before hydration vs 2.9 ± 7.8 mm Hg after hydration (p < 0.001). The corresponding change in mean diastolic BP was 3.7 ± 10.9 mm Hg before hydration vs 8.6 ± 10.9 mm Hg after hydration (p = 0.12). The mean change in pulse rate upon standing was 26.8 ± 14.5 beats/min before hydration vs 14.5 ± 10.1 beats/min after hydration (p = 0.002).
Conclusions: Women who present to the ED with hyperemesis gravidarum are significantly dehydrated and experience measurable improvement in postural pulse rate and systolic BP changes with rehydration. However, the presenting orthostatic changes lack sufficient sensitivity to be effectively used as quantitative screening tests for dehydration.     

HYPERTHYROIDISM ASSOCIATED WITH HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM

SUMMARY Hyperemesis gravidarum is an uncommon presentation of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy which is usually attributable to autoimmune (Graves') disease. While this condition necessitates treatment with antithyroid drugs, a syndrome of transient hyperthyroidism associated with hyperemesis gravidarum that resolves spontaneously is also recognised. Differentiation between these two conditions may prove problematic in practice. We report two cases of hyperthyroidism associated with severe hyperemesis gravidarum. Intractable hyperemesis continued in one patient despite normalisation of circulating free thyroid hormone concentrations with carbimazole. Neither patient exhibited clinical or immunological features of autoimmune thyroid disease, suggesting in retrospect that they had the syndrome of transient hyperthyroxinaemia associated with hyperemesis gravidarum rather than Graves' disease. The role of antithyroid drugs in the treatment of self-limiting transient hyperthyroidism associated with hyperemesis gravidarum requires clarification.     

Vitamin b6 depletion in women with hyperemesis gravidarum (author's transl)]

The serum pyridoxal 5-phosphate (vitamin B6) level was measured in 20 women with hyperemesis gravidarum before and after therapy with vitamin B6. Control specimens were obtained from 22 healthy pregnant, women during the first trimester, 18 healthy prgnant women during the last trimester and from 29 healthy non-pregnant women of comparable age. The determinations were performed by means of decarboxylation of L-tyrosine-1-14 C.     

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, commonly known as "morning sickness," affects approximately 80 percent of pregnant women. Although several theories have been proposed, the exact cause remains unclear. Recent research has implicated Helicobacter pylori as one possible cause. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is generally a mild, self-limited condition that may be controlled with conservative measures. A small percentage of pregnant women have a more profound course, with the most severe form being hyperemesis gravidarum. Unlike morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum may have negative implications for maternal and fetal health. Physicians should carefully evaluate patients with nonresolving or worsening symptoms to rule out the most common pregnancy-related and nonpregnancy-related causes of severe vomiting. Once pathologic causes have been ruled out, treatment is individualized. Initial treatment should be conservative and should involve dietary changes, emotional support, and perhaps alternative therapy such as ginger or acupressure. Women with more complicated nausea and vomiting of pregnancy also may need pharmacologic therapy. Several medications, including pyridoxine and doxylamine, have been shown to be safe and effective treatments. Pregnant women who have severe vomiting may require hospitalization, orally or intravenously administered corticosteroid therapy, and total parenteral nutrition.     

Pregnancy in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a rare disease characterized by syncope, sinus tachycardia, and orthostasis due to autonomic dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two women aged 26 and 24 years with severe POTS became pregnant. Both women experienced hyperemesis gravidarum with subsequent marked improvement in their POTS symptoms until 6 months gestation, when their syncope and sinus tachycardia caused clinical decompensation. Both patients delivered healthy babies at 37 weeks by elective cesarean section. CONCLUSION: In long-term follow-up, both women reported improvement in their prepartum symptoms. We describe the first report, to our knowledge, of two successful pregnancy outcomes in severe POTS, including the first report of midodrine use in pregnant women.     

穴位贴敷联合香砂六君子汤治疗脾胃虚弱型妊娠剧吐患者的临床效果

目的观察穴位贴敷联合香砂六君子汤治疗脾胃虚弱型妊娠剧吐患者的临床效果。方法将我院收治的300例脾胃虚弱型妊娠剧吐患者随机分为对照组和观察组,各150例。对照组给予香砂六君子汤治疗,观察组在此基础上联合穴位贴敷治疗。比较两组的疗效。结果治疗后,观察组SAS、SDS评分、症候积分、NVPQOL评分及MOT水平均优于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组早产发生率低于对照组,新生儿Apgar评分及治疗总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论穴位贴敷联合香砂六君子汤对脾胃虚弱型妊娠剧吐患者的疗效显著,能有效改善患者的临床症状、不良情绪、生活质量及血清MOT水平,降低新生儿早产发生率,提高新生儿Apgar评分,值得临床推广应用。     

体外受精-胚胎移植术后妊娠剧吐患者的护理对策

目的 探讨体外受精-胚胎移植术(IVF-ET)受孕后妊娠剧吐患者的护理对策。 方法选取2016年3~12月生殖中心收治的59例IVF-ET受孕后妊娠剧吐的患者,采用随机数字表法将其分为实验组30例与对照组29例。对照组实施常规护理,实验组在此基础上进行护理干预。比较2组患者焦虑评分、住院时间和患者满意度。 结果 干预后实验组患者焦虑得分明显低于对照组(t=9.973,P<0.001);住院时间明显短于对照组(t=5.799,P<0.001),患者的满意度得分明显高于对照组(t=8.134,P<0.001)。 结论 护理干预能减轻IVF-ET受孕后妊娠剧吐孕妇的焦虑情绪,有效改善妊娠剧吐症状,从而缩短住院时间,提高患者满意度。     

Wernicke encephalopathy associated with hyperemesis gravidarum

Emergency physicians frequently treat hyperemesis gravidarum and should be aware of possible complications. Wernicke encephalopathy secondary to thiamine deficiency should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute encephalopathy in pregnant women. A seventeen-week pregnant 27-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department with nausea, emesis, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Ultrasound diagnosed gallbladder sludge. Surgical consultant offered cholecystectomy versus expectant management. She improved with IV hydration, ondansetron, and was discharged on hospital day 3 with a diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum and gallbladder sludge. Three days later she presented with continued emesis and altered mental status. She and family members denied alcohol or illicit drug use. Vital signs were pulse 99/min, blood pressure 115/70, temperature 36.4 °C, respiratory rate 18, and oxygen saturation 99%. Neurological examination was delirium, variable mentation, and inability to follow commands. She had internuclear opthalmoplegia with bilateral nystagmus. CT scan of brain was negative. MRI found abnormal T2-weighted signal in the central pons and medial thalami. Radiographic differential included central pontine myelinolysis, dysmyelinating conditions from malnutrition, toxic encephalopathy, and Wernicke encephalopathy. Thiamine level was below the limits of detection. Alcohol and urine drug screen were negative. Diagnosis was thiamine deficiency secondary to hyperemesis gravidarum with Wernicke encephalopathy. Emergency physicians frequently treat hyperemesis gravidarum. Nutritional status should be evaluated in patients who are unable to take neonatal vitamins. Awareness should exist of possible complications, including Wernicke encephalopathy secondary to thiamine deficiency.     

护理干预对妊娠剧吐患者心理和临床症状的影响

目的探讨护理干预对妊娠剧吐患者心理和临床症状的影响,寻求提高妊娠剧吐患者生活质量的方法。方法将62例妊娠剧吐患者随机分为两组,对照组（n=30）给予常规治疗护理,试验组（n=32）在常规治疗护理的基础上给予护理干预。于护理干预前和4周末采用焦虑自评量表（SAS）分析对两组患者评定,比较两组的治疗效果。结果护理干预前两组患者SAS评分差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;4周末试验组SAS评分（30．12±5．68）分,对照组为（35．28±6．57）分;临床症状改善情况比较,试验组有效率为96．88％,对照组有效率为80．00％;两组比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论护理干预有助于改善妊娠剧吐患者负性情绪,减轻妊娠剧吐症状,提高患者的生活质量,有临床应用价值。