Rapid marked response of severe hyperemesis gravidarum to oral erythromycin

A recent report has noted an association between Helicobacter pylori and hyperemesis gravidarum. We present two cases in which first-trimester patients with severe hyperemesis gravidarum requiring intravenous fluid replacement were placed on oral erythromycin therapy for other nonrelated conditions. Surprisingly, marked rapid improvement of the hyperemesis gravidarum was observed with complete resolution of all symptomatology. Both these patients tested seropositive for Helicobacter pylori. These unexpected, marked therapeutic responses are consistent with the recently reported association between hyperemesis gravidarum and Helicobacter pylori and possibly suggest a new therapeutic modality for similar patients.