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Low prepregnancy ideal weight:height ratio in women with hyperemesis gravidarum
Burton Rochelson1, Nidhi Vohra, J Darvishzadeh
1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 10030, USA. brochels@nshs.edu
Objective:
To determine if a low prepregnancy weight:height ratio is a risk factor for hyperemesis.
Study Design:
A retrospective chart review was conducted on 38 patients admitted to North Shore University Hospital for hyperemesis over a 5-year period. Prepregnancy weight, body mass index and percent ideal weight:height ratio in this group were compared to findings on 79 randomly selected control patients not admitted for hyperemesis.
Results:
There was a significantly higher incidence of prepregnancy underweight women (low percent ideal weight for height) in patients admitted for hyperemesis as compared to controls (P < .01). Thyroid-stimulating hormone was low in 19% of patients tested.
Conclusion:
A low prepregnancy percent ideal weight:height ratio may predispose women to the development of hyperemesis.
