Plymouth University

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a condition at the extreme end of the pregnancy sickness spectrum. Offspring born to women with HG are potentially at increased risk of having developmental problems and autism spectrum disorder. This increased risk could be due to the effect of maternal malnutrition on the developing brain at critical time points.

The overall aim of this feasibility study was to assess the nutritional intake and wellbeing of women experiencing HG and their pregnancy outcomes to generate baseline data to inform future large studies. The information generated by the study highlighted the need for better nutritional care for people with hyperemesis gravidarum. It helped to gather momentum among other researchers and clinicians on the need to establish consensus guidelines.

Results were presented at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists World Congress in June 2023 and has also been cited in the new Australian Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand Vomiting in Pregnancy/Hyperemesis Gravidarum position statement as evidence that nutritional care needs to improve. Senior professors commented that it is very difficult and rare to obtain funding for hyperemesis gravidarum, as it is viewed as a benign condition, when this is very much not the case.

The University worked with the British Dietetic Association and the UK Pregnancy Sickness Support Charity to produce an information booklet for mothers with HG, and continues to work with an international group of researchers and patient representatives to finalise nutritional guidelines for HG-affected pregnancies, whilst seeking to improve clinical services for HG.