Hyperemesis Gravidarum Pregnancy: A thing of the past – Antai Hospital
Nausea and vomiting are very common symptoms in early pregnancy. This condition is commonly known as morning sickness, affecting up to 70-80 percent of pregnant mothers. The usual onset of nausea and vomiting is around 4th to 7th week from the last menstrual period, peaking during 8th to 12th week. Majority of them will resolve by the 20th week of gestation. Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of nausea and vomiting which affects one in 200 pregnant mothers.
This condition is caused by the presence of abnormally present hCG-sensitive receptors that are quick to bind with hCG, which is only present during pregnancy, that triggers a cascade central sensitization, leading to what we know as the Hyperemesis Gravidarum condition.
It is also the most common indication for hospital admission during early pregnancy. This disorder has a higher prevalence among the low educational level, lower income group and those in part-time employment. The common clinical features associated with hyperemesis gravidarum are persistent vomiting, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, ketonuria, and weight loss of more than 5% of the body weight. The incidence of hyperemesis gravidarum increases with multiple gestation, molar pregnancy, trisomy gestation and hydrop-fetalis. If a mother presents with nausea and vomiting after 9th week of gestation or experiences vomiting throughout the pregnancy, it is very likely that it is Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
Complications of Hyperemesis Gravidarum
- Maternal Complications
Persistent severe vomiting of mother can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and ketosis. More serious conditions include esophageal tear or rupture, splenic avulsion, pneumothorax and peripheral neuropathy due to B6 and B12 deficiency 5,6, Wernicke’s encephalopathy has been associated with treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum with intravenous dextrose replacement without thiamine supplement. Central pontine myelinolysis associated with Wernicke’s encephalopathy has been reported. The incidence of maternal death due to hyperemesis gravidarum is rare, In Malaysia two cases of maternal death due to Hyperemesis gravidarum were reported between 1991- 2006.
- Foetal complications
Uncomplicated nausea and vomiting have been noted to have more favourable outcome of pregnancy than those without vomiting, these includes less cases of miscarriages, preterm deliveries and stillbirths. However uncontrolled hyperemesis gravidarum has been associated with foetal growth retardation and foetal death, In one report it was stated that up to 32% of infants whose mothers experienced weight loss due to hyperemesis were less than 10th percentile for the gestational weight at birth. A low risk of central nervous system and skeletal malformations was noted in children born of mothers with hyperemesis gravidarum.
Symptoms to be expected (ranges with severity)
- Violent vomiting
- Severe Nausea
- Excessive salivation
- Insomnia
- Loss of smell and taste
- Increased heart rate
- Heartburn
- Hyperthyroidism
- Ketoacidosis
- Electrolyte imbalance
Treatment for Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG Vaccine)
At Antai Hospital, the management of hyperemesis gravidarum depends on the severity of the symptoms. But equally, all our patients are administered with our HG Vaccine. Effective and easy to administer, patients usually see full recovery in less than a week. The HG Vaccine is only called a vaccine, because it is in an intramuscular injection, taken in a few doses ranging from 8-15, it comprises of our hCG Desensitizer, which can block receptors that trigger HG to momentarily stop binding with hCG, thus patient see quick recovery after receiving just one injection.
For more information, please get in touch with us and arrangements treatment today, a healthy pregnancy is possible for you, without the disruption of Hyperemesis.