Acute renal failure in association with severe hyperemesis gravidarum

Pre-Pregnancy Risk Factors for Severe Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Korean Population Based Cohort Study

Hyperemesis gravidarum is known to be associated with poor perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to identify pre-pregnancy risk factors for hospital admission in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. We enrolled women who had delivered between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015, and had undergone a national health screening examination through the National Health Insurance Corporation 1-2 years before their first delivery. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the risk factors for hospital admission due to hyperemesis gravidarum. Of the 216,373 study participants with hyperemesis gravidarum, 2210 (1.02%) pregnant women were hospitalized. These women had lower waist circumference and were underweight based on body mass index compared to pregnant women who did not require hospitalization due to hyperemesis gravidarum. On multivariate analysis, primiparity, multiple pregnancies, female fetus, alcohol consumption, and pre-pregnancy underweight status were associated with an increased risk of hospitalization due to the condition. In this population-based cohort study, we found that hospitalization due to hyperemesis gravidarum was associated with pre-pregnancy lifestyle characteristics. Early recognition and management of these pre-pregnancy factors may help control the need for hospitalization in women with the condition in subsequent pregnancies.

The Changing Landscape of Acute Kidney Injury in Pregnancy from an Obstetrics Perspective

Pregnancy-related acute kidney injury (PR-AKI) is a heterogeneous disorder with multiple aetiologies that can occur at any time throughout pregnancy and the post-partum period. PR-AKI is an important obstetric complication that is associated with significant maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Although there has been an overall decline in the incidence of PR-AKI worldwide, a recent shift in the occurrence of this disease has been reported. Following improvements in obstetric care, PR-AKI incidence has been reduced in developing countries, whereas an increase in PR-AKI incidence has been reported in developed countries. Awareness of the physiological adaptations of the renal system is essential for the diagnosis and management of kidney impairment in pregnancy. In this review we scrutinize the factors that have contributed to the changing epidemiology of PR-AKI and discuss challenges in the diagnosis and management of acute kidney injury (AKI) in pregnancy from an obstetrics perspective. Thereafter we provide brief discussions on the diagnostic approach of certain PR-AKI aetiologies and summarize key therapeutic measures.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum in the context of migration: when the absence of cultural meaning gives rise to "blaming the victim"

Background

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a rare complication of pregnancy that involves persistent nausea and extreme vomiting to an intensity that differentiates HG from nausea and vomiting commonly experienced during pregnancy. Research has suggested potential biological and psychological etiological pathways for HG, but the augmented prevalence in immigrant populations, which is 4.5 times higher, remains unclear. Studies show that in order to better address the psychosocial needs of immigrant patients with HG, we must first improve our understanding of how they experience their illness. The objective of this study was to understand the meaning and experience of HG among immigrant women in Canada.

Methods

Our “qualitative comparative analysis design” involved a sample of 15 pregnant mothers following their hospitalization for HG, including 11 immigrant women and 4 Canadian-born women recruited for comparison purposes. We used the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale to assess distress, and the McGill Illness Narrative Interview Schedule to explore how pregnant women understood and experienced their HG and the health services that they received.

Results

With the exception of a few women whose mothers suffered from HG, immigrant women and their loved ones did not have cultural knowledge to attribute meaning to HG symptoms. This left them vulnerable to criticism from family, as well as feelings of self-doubt, stress, and anxiety. We interpret this phenomenon as ‘victim blaming’. Immigrant women’s experience of HG was also characterised by high levels of depressive symptoms (40%) which they linked to the severity of their symptoms, high levels of stress associated with adapting to their new country, social isolation, and loss of female family members. Furthermore, in contrast to Canadian-born women, immigrant women frequently reported feeling that their symptoms were minimized by hospital emergency room medical staff, which led to delays in obtaining appropriate health care. However, once admitted to hospital, they perceived the care provided by dieticians and nurses as helpful in managing their symptoms.

Conclusions

Wider awareness of the impact of HG may improve the quality of family support for immigrant women. There is a need to improve the delays and appropriateness of clinical care.

Analysis of GDF15 and IGFBP7 in Hyperemesis Gravidarum Support Causality

Objective Hyperemesis gravidarum, severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, occurs in up to 2% of pregnancies and leads to significant weight loss, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and ketonuria. It is associated with both maternal and fetal morbidity. Familial aggregation studies and twin studies suggest a genetic component. In a recent GWAS, we showed that placentation, appetite, and cachexia genes GDF15 and IGFBP7 are linked to hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). The purpose of this study is to determine whether GDF15 and IGFBP7 are upregulated in HG patients.

Methods We compared serum levels of GDF15 and IGFBP7 at 12 and 24 weeksʼ gestation in women hospitalized for HG, and two control groups, women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), and women with no NVP.

Results We show GDF15 and IGFBP7 serum levels are significantly increased in women with HG at 12 weeksʼ gestation. Serum levels of hCG are not significantly different between cases and controls. At 24 weeks gestation, when symptoms have largely resolved, there is no difference in GDF15 and IGFBP7 serum levels between cases and controls.

Conclusion This study supports GDF15 and IGFBP7 in the pathogenesis of HG and may be useful for prediction and diagnosis. The GDF15-GFRAL brainstem-activated pathway was recently identified and therapies to treat conditions of abnormal appetite are under intense investigation. Based on our findings, HG should be included.

Evidence GDF15 Plays a Role in Familial and Recurrent Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Introduction Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a pregnancy complication characterized by severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, occurs in up to 2% of pregnancies. It is associated with both maternal and fetal morbidity. HG is highly heritable and recurs in approximately 80% of women. In a recent genome-wide association study, it was shown that placentation, appetite, and the cachexia gene GDF15 are linked to HG. The purpose of this study was to explore whether GDF15 alleles linked to overexpression of GDF15 protein segregate with the condition in families, and whether the GDF15 risk allele is associated with recurrence of HG.

Methods We analyzed GDF15 overexpression alleles for segregation with disease using exome-sequencing data from 5 HG families. We compared the allele frequency of the GDF15 risk allele, rs16982345, in patients who had recurrence of HG with its frequency in those who did not have recurrence.

Results Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to higher levels of GDF15 segregated with disease in HG families. The GDF15 risk allele, rs16982345, was associated with an 8-fold higher risk of recurrence of HG.

Conclusion The findings of this study support the hypothesis that GDF15 is involved in the pathogenesis of both familial and recurrent cases of HG. The findings may be applicable when counseling women with a familial history of HG or recurrent HG. The GDF15-GFRAL brainstem-activated pathway was recently identified and therapies to treat conditions of abnormal appetite are under development. Based on our findings, patients carrying GDF15 variants associated with GDF15 overexpression should be included in future studies of GDF15-GFRAL-based therapeutics. If safe, this approach could reduce maternal and fetal morbidity.

Genetic analysis of hyperemesis gravidarum reveals association with intracellular calcium release channel (RYR2)

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), severe nausea/vomiting in pregnancy (NVP), can cause poor maternal/fetal outcomes. Genetic predisposition suggests the genetic component is essential in discovering an etiology. We performed whole-exome sequencing of 5 families followed by analysis of variants in 584 cases/431 controls. Variants in RYR2 segregated with disease in 2 families. The novel variant L3277R was not found in any case/control. The rare variant, G1886S was more common in cases (p = 0.046) and extreme cases (p = 0.023). Replication of G1886S using Norwegian/Australian data was supportive. Common variants rs790899 and rs1891246 were significantly associated with HG and weight loss. Copy-number analysis revealed a deletion in a patient. RYR2 encodes an intracellular calcium release channel involved in vomiting, cyclic-vomiting syndrome, and is a thyroid hormone target gene. Additionally, RYR2 is a downstream drug target of Inderal, used to treat HG and CVS. Thus, herein we provide genetic evidence for a pathway and therapy for HG.

Changing picture of acute kidney injury in pregnancy: Study of 259 cases over a period of 33 years

The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in pregnancy is declining in developing countries but still remains a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to analyze the changing trends in pregnancy related AKI (PR-AKI) over a period of thirty-three years. Clinical characteristics of PR-AKI with respect to incidence, etiology and fetal and maternal outcomes were compared in three study periods, namely 1982-1991,1992-2002 and 2003-2014. The incidence of PR-AKI decreased to 10.4% in 1992-2002, from 15.2% in 1982-1991, with declining trend continuing in 2003-2014 (4.68%).Postabortal AKI decreased to 1.49% in 2003-2014 from 9.4% in 1982-1991of total AKI cases. The AKI related to puerperal sepsis increased to 1.56% of all AKI cases in 2003-2014 from 1.4% in 1982-1991. Preeclampsia/eclampsia associated AKI decreased from 3.5% of total AKI cases in 1982-1991 to 0.54% in 2003-2014. Pregnancy associated – thrombotic microangiopathy and acute fatty liver of pregnancy were uncommon causes of AKI. Hyperemesis gravidarum associated AKI was not observed in our study. Incidence of renal cortical necrosis (RCN) decreased to 1.4% in 2003-2014 from 17% in 1982-1991.Maternal mortality reduced to 5.79% from initial high value 20% in 1982-1991. The progression of PR-AKI to ESRD decreased to1.4% in 2003-2014 from 6.15% in 1982-1991. The incidence of PR-AKI has decreased over last three decades, mainly due to decrease in incidence of postabortal AKI. Puerperal sepsis and obstetric hemorrhage were the major causes of PR-AKI followed by preeclampsia in late pregnancy. Maternal mortality and incidence and severity of RCN have significantly decreased in PR-AKI. The progression to CKD and ESRD has decreased in women with AKI in pregnancy in recent decade. However, the perinatal mortality did not change throughout study period.

Respiratory Arrest in an Obese Pregnant Woman with Hyperemesis Gravidarum

A pregnant, non-Japanese-speaking Peruvian, and, thus, with communication difficulty, suffered hyperemesis gravidarum and had respiratory arrest, requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The obese pregnant woman (prepregnancy weight: 107 kg) had vomited and lost 15 kg in bodyweight over appropriately 2 weeks prior to the arrest but had not complained due to communication difficulty, which, together with her obesity, prevented a Japanese obstetrician from noticing her severe condition. 1,000 mL of low potassium fluid plus thiamine was administered. She became unable to stand, suggesting lower-extremity-proximal-muscle weakness, and then respiratory arrest occurred. Hypopotassemia (2.3 mEq/L), pulseless electrical activity, and muscle weakness suggested the presence of severe potassium deficiency, which may have caused respiratory muscle paralysis, leading to the respiratory arrest. Hypercapnea was severer than expected for compensatory hypoventilation, indicating the presence of concomitant severe hypoventilation, which may also have contributed to respiratory arrest. She recovered with electrolyte and volume replacement. Respiratory arrest can occur with hyperemesis gravidarum, and obesity and communication difficulties can prevent the early detection of severe conditions.

Acute kidney injury in pregnancy-current status

Pregnancy-related acute kidney injury (PR-AKI) causes significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Management of PR-AKI warrants a thorough understanding of the physiologic adaptations in the kidney and the urinary tract. Categorization of etiologies of PR-AKI is similar to that of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the nonpregnant population. The causes differ between developed and developing countries, with thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) being common in the former and septic abortion and puerperal sepsis in the latter. The incidence of PR-AKI is reported to be on a decline, but there is no consensus on the exact definition of the condition. The physiologic changes in pregnancy make diagnosis of PR-AKI difficult. Newer biomarkers are being studied extensively but are not yet available for clinical use. Early and accurate diagnosis is necessary to improve maternal and fetal outcomes. Timely identification of "at-risk" individuals and treatment of underlying conditions such as sepsis, preeclampsia, and TMAs remain the cornerstone of management. Questions regarding renal replacement therapy such as modality, optimal prescription, and timing of initiation in PR-AKI remain unclear. There is a need to systematically explore these variables to improve care of women with PR-AKI.

Hyperemesis gravidarum and fetal gender: a retrospective study

This retrospective study of 9,980 women who delivered at the James Paget Hospital, Norfolk, UK, over 5 years, aimed to primarily determine whether the incidence of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is higher in the presence of a female fetus. The results showed that more women with HG had a female fetus compared with women without HG. Also found was that heavy ketonuria was more prevalent in women with a female fetus compared with women with a male fetus, and the mean number of admissions per woman was also higher in women with a female fetus compared with women with a male fetus. It can be concluded that women presenting with HG are more likely to have a female fetus and that women with HG and a female fetus tend to a higher level of ketonuria and an increased number of hospital admissions.

Change in paternity and recurrence of hyperemesis gravidarum

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether change in paternity changes recurrence risk of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).

STUDY DESIGN

Survey data on recurrence of HG was compared between cases who had a paternity change between pregnancies and cases who did not.

RESULTS

The percentage of HG pregnancies in women with the same partner for all pregnancies was not significantly different from the percentage of HG pregnancies in women who changed partners for at least one pregnancy (78% vs 71%, p > 0.05). Participants who did and did not change partners between their first and second pregnancies, were asked to rate their first and second pregnancy in regards to symptoms of HG. Neither the ratings nor the change in rating between pregnancies was significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Women reported HG in over 70% of their pregnancies regardless of a paternity change. Paternal genes expressed through the fetus do not have a significant effect on incidence or recurrence of HG. This study supports a strong maternal genetic factor involved in HG. However, because the recurrence risk is not 100%, other factors play a role. Identification of the predisposing gene(s) and other factors will determine the cause of this poorly understood complication of pregnancy.

Risk factors, treatments, and outcomes associated with prolonged hyperemesis gravidarum

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors associated with prolonged Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG).

STUDY DESIGN

About 395 women completed a survey regarding pre-existing conditions, treatments and outcomes. Responses were compared using two-sided t-tests or the F-test.

RESULTS

Participants with prolonged HG are slightly younger and weigh more. Pre-existing factors associated with prolonged HG include allergies and a restrictive diet. Prolonged HG is associated with hematemesis, dizziness, fainting and antiemetic treatment. Following pregnancy, those with prolonged HG reported more posttraumatic stress, motion sickness, muscle weakness and infants with irritability, severe colic and growth restriction.

CONCLUSION

Multiple pre-existing conditions and poor maternal and infant outcomes were associated with prolonged HG. The most significant condition prior to pregnancy was allergies suggesting a possible autoimmune component affecting duration of HG. In addition, the most significant lifestyle choice linked to prolonged HG was a restrictive diet. Future research is needed to determine whether a change in diet prior to pregnancy may lead to a shorter duration of HG and its associated outcomes.

Posttraumatic stress symptoms following pregnancy complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum

OBJECTIVE

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) can be accompanied by severe physical and emotional distress. Most studies have focused on the physical and psychological stress associated with this condition during the affected pregnancy. This study explores posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and negative life outcomes following HG pregnancies.

METHODS

A total of 610 women (HG = 377 and control = 233) were recruited and completed an online survey. χ-square analyses were used to compare the HG and control groups on various life outcome variables.

RESULTS

Eighteen percent of women with HG reported full criteria PTSS (n = 68). Negative life outcomes regarding financial and marital status, career, as well as psychological and physical well-being differed significantly for the HG groups compared to the control group (0.001 < p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PTSS is common following HG pregnancies and is associated with negative life outcomes including inability to breastfeed, marital problems, financial problems, and inability of self care.

Relationships among smoking, drinking, betel quid chewing and pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting in Taiwanese aboriginal women

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the associations among smoking, drinking, betel quid chewing and pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting (N/V) in Taiwanese aboriginal women. A total of 901 aboriginal women from 11 hospitals were recruited into this study. A structured questionnaire on demographic and obstetric information, smoking history, alcohol consumption, betel quid chewing habits, and N/V by checklist was used to collect data. The findings of this study indicated that the prevalence of N/V, maternal smoking, drinking, and betel quid chewing were 75.6% (n = 682), 22.8% (n = 201), 31.9% (n = 287), and 34.7% (n = 313) respectively. Multiple logistic regression with adjustment for age, body mass index and antiemetics use revealed significant relationships between smoking habits and N/V before confirmation of pregnancy and during pregnancy. In comparison with those who did not smoke, women smoking in excess of 10 cigarettes a day before pregnancy were 1.65 times more likely to develop N/V; and women smoking in excess of 10 cigarettes a day during pregnancy were 2.79 times more likely to develop N/V. Based on the findings of this study, smoking was associated, with a dose-response effect, with pregnancy-related N/V. Reducing the intake of cigarettes could decrease the risk of pregnancy-related N/V. Health care providers should help these women decrease their uncomfortable symptoms and improve their experiences of pregnancy and birth outcome during critical times.

Management strategies for hyperemesis

Nausea and vomiting occur in up to 80% of normal pregnancies. Hyperemesis gravidarum, resulting in dehydration and ketonuria, is a more severe, disabling and potentially life threatening condition affecting up to 1.5% of pregnancies. Treatment is supportive with intravenous rehydration, antiemetics and correction of vitamin deficiency to minimize complications. There are good safety data to support the use of antihistamines, phenothiazines and metoclopromide in hyperemesis gravidarum, though trials of efficacy are lacking and there is little evidence on which to chose the optimum therapy. This review discusses the diagnosis and management of hyperemesis gravidarum and the prevention, recognition and treatment of the serious complications of Wernicke encephalopathy, osmotic demyelination syndrome and thromboembolism.

Elective pregnancy termination in a large cohort of women with hyperemesis gravidarum

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to describe characteristics of women who terminated their pregnancies secondary to hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).

STUDY DESIGN

Data were obtained from a survey provided on an HG Web site from 2003 to 2005.

RESULTS

Of 808 women who completed the survey, 123 (15.2%) had at least one termination due to HG, and 49 (6.1%) had multiple terminations. Prominent reasons given for the terminations were inability to care for the family and self (66.7%), fear that they or their baby could die (51.2%), or that the baby would be abnormal (22.0%). These same women were three times as likely to state that their health care providers were uncaring or did not understand how sick they were [64/123 (52.0%) vs. 168/685 (24.5%), odds ratio 3.34 (95% CI 2.21-5.05), p<.001].

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that the physical and psychological burden of HG has been underestimated, and that further education within the medical community may be warranted.

Treatment Options for Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting, common symptoms during pregnancy, often are regarded as an unpleasant but normal part of pregnancy during the first and early second trimesters. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) occurs in approximately 75-80% of pregnant women. The exact etiology and pathogenesis of NVP are poorly understood and are most likely multifactorial. Some theories for the etiology of NVP are psychological predisposition, evolutionary adaptation, hormonal stimuli, and Helicobacter pylori infection. Treatment ranges from dietary and lifestyle changes to vitamins, antiemetics, and hospitalization for intravenous therapy. Treatment generally begins with nonpharmacologic interventions; if symptoms do not improve, drug therapy is added. Although NVP has been associated with a positive pregnancy outcome, the symptoms can significantly affect a woman's life, both personally and professionally. Given the substantial health care costs, as well as indirect costs, and the potential decrease in quality of life due to NVP, providers need to acknowledge the impact of NVP and provide appropriate treatment.

Acute renal failure in pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

To provide an evidence-based, up-to-date review of the literature regarding the assessment and management of acute renal failure that may affect women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

DESIGN

A review of the current literature was performed.

RESULTS

Acute renal failure is a rare complication of pregnancy but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Management requires knowledge of the renal physiologic changes occurring in pregnancy and the relevant diagnoses, both pregnancy-specific and those that may coincidentally occur with pregnancy. In addition, fetal effects must be taken into consideration.

CONCLUSIONS

Ideal care for women with acute renal failure in pregnancy or postpartum requires a multidisciplinary approach that may include maternal-fetal medicine, critical care medicine, nephrology, and neonatology specialists.