HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM
HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM Hyperemesis gravidarum is excessive nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. This pernicious vomiting is differentiated from the more common and more normal morning sickness by the fact that it is of greater intensity and extends beyond the first trimester. Hyperemesis gravidarum may occur in any of the three trimesters. It is a condition affecting one in 1,000 pregnancies. Causes High levels of hCG or undue sensitivity to normal levels of hCG may cause vomiting. Psychological factors are thought to play an important role. Women with a previous history of hyperemesis are likely to experience it in subsequent pregnancies (Fairweather, 1968). It is known to be associated with first pregnancies. An allergic factor may also be operative, since large amounts of histamine are found in cases of hyperemesis. The sensitizing agents possibly are the woman's own corpus luteum, syncytial cells and gonadotropic hormones. Clinical Presentation Pernicious vomiting (anything ta