ABSTRACT

Objective:

We aimed to investigate the possible association between Helicobacter pylori infection and Hyperemesis gravidarum.

Material and Methods:

Thirty-six pregnant women with Hyperemesis gravidarum with severe vomiting (more than 4 times a day), weight loss (≥3 kg), ketonuria and 36 pregnant women gestational age-matched, without nausea and vomiting attending our outpatient clinic for antenatal care were enrolled the study. Demographic data of the patients were registered. Blood samples for hemogram, serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3-T4, total T3-T4, and urine samples for ketonuria, stool samples for HpSA were studied. The data of both groups were compared.

Results:

Eight Hyperemesis gravidarum patients (22.2%) and 1 control patient (2.8%) were established HpSA positive and it was statistically significant (p: 0.037). There was no significant difference between Hyperemesis gravidarum and control subjects in terms of age, gestational week, parity, educational level, socioeconomic status and smoking. There was anemia in 5 Hyperemesis gravidarum patients, 4 of them were HpSA positive. HpSA positivity was more prevalent in Hyperemesis gravidarum patients with anemia (p=0.003). Severe vomiting (more than 4 times a day), heartburn, epigastric pain, duration of hospitalization (more than 4 days) and weight loss (≥5 kg) were not correlated to HpSA positivity.

Conclusion:

The pregnant women with Hyperemesis gravidarum have a significantly higher prevalence of Helicobacter pylori compared with control subjects.