Serologic assay of Helicobacter pylori infection. Is it useful in hyperemesis gravidarum?

To assess the association of Helicobacter pylori seropositivity with hyperemesis gravidarum.

A prospective study was performed on 160 pregnant women who were admitted to an outpatient clinic for prenatal care from November 2000 to December 2001. Eighty patients with hyperemesis gravidarum and 80 asymptomatic, pregnant women were examined for serum anti-H pylori IgG antibodies. Serum anti-H pylori IgG antibodies were evaluated using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based kit. Statistical analysis was conducted by using the Student t, chi 2 and Mann-Whitney U test. A P value < .05 was considered significant.

The overall prevalence of H pylori seropositivity was 65.6%. Fifty-six of 80 hyperemesis patients (70%) and 49 of 80 control subjects (61.2%) were positive for anti-H pylori IgG antibodies. No significant difference in H pylori seropositivity was found between the groups.

H pylori seropositivity is not significantly associated with hyperemesis gravidarum. Since we could not absolutely demonstrate that seropositivity for H pylori is associated with hyperemesis gravidarum, routine serologic analysis for H pylori is not encouraged. Understanding the role of H pylori infection in the pathogenesis of hyperemesis gravidarum necessitates further studies.