Assessment of Helicobacter pylori infection in hyperemesis gravidarum

ABSTRACT

Several reports have recently suggested that there might be an association between hyperemesis gravidarum and Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] infection; moreover, It seems to be an important factor in the exacerbation of hyperemesis gravidarum. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] infection in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum [HG] and to evaluate whether there is a time relationship between positive serology for H. pylori IgG and the time of onset and the duration of HG symptoms. This is a prospective, case-control, observational study carried out in Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital from August 2000 to August 2001. Thirty pregnant women with HG [patient group] and thirty asymptomatic pregnant women [control group] were enrolled in a prospective observational case-control study. Study and control groups were matched for maternal age, parity, weight, height, body mass index, gestational age, and time of onset and duration of HG symptoms. Serum H. pylori IgG antibody was qualitatively assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] after obtaining informed consents. Positive serum H. pylori IgG antibody was detected in 86.7% [26 of 30] in the patients vs 3.3% [10 of 30] in the controls [P < 0.001]. Maternal age, parity, weight, height, body mass index and gestational age were comparable in matched groups. Time of onset of HG symptoms was different in seropositive [8.44 +/- 3.55, P < 0.05] and seronegativc [12.65 +/- 2.70, P <0.05] patients with HG while the duration of HG symptoms was comparable in seropositive [3.71 +/- 1.92, P > 0.05] and seronegative [4.15 +/- 0.85. P > 0.05] patients with HG. There was a significant association between H. pylori infection and HG in our hyperemetic pregnant women. There was a time relationship between H. pylori seropositivity and the time of onset HG symptoms. There was no relationship between H. pylori seropositivity and the duration of HG symptoms