Prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum and its associated electrolyte and hematologic disturbances in pregnant women

Background and objective: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a condition that develops early in pregnancy, before 16 weeks of gestation, and is characterized by severe nausea and/or vomiting, inability to tolerate food and/or beverages, and substantial impairment of daily activities. Hyperemesis gravidarum can have obvious maternal and fetal consequences. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of HG, investigate its associated electrolyte and hematologic disturbances, and identify risk factors among pregnant women in Aljouf, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A retrospective observational case-control study was conducted using 200 medical records selected from a total of 9,090 records of pregnant women at the Maternity and Children Hospital in Aljouf, covering the period from November 2020 to November 2023. Results: The prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum was 1.1% among the studied pregnant women. Patients diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum showed significantly lower body weight and BMI than controls. Nearly 48% of HG cases occurred in women aged 30-39 years, while 52% were in the first trimester. Furthermore, 36% of the affected women were primigravida, and 11% were pregnant with twins. Hypotension was observed in 35% of HG cases. Hyponatremia occurred in 29% of patients, hypokalemia in 21%, and hypochloremia in 24%. Hematological disturbances included increased Hb levels in 11% of cases, increased hematocrit in 12%, leukocytosis in 19%, and neutrophilia in 17% of the patients. Conclusion: Hypotension, electrolyte imbalance, and hematological disturbances are the primary consequences of HG. First-trimester pregnancy and low gestational age are the most important risk factors for HG. Strategies by healthcare centers and further research are needed to enhance the treatment, management, and prevention methods of HG.