Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Synonyms

• None

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a rare disorder characterized by severe and persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that may necessitate hospitalization. As a result of frequent nausea and vomiting, affected women experience dehydration, vitamin and mineral deficit, and the loss of greater than five percent of their original body weight.

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), more widely known as morning sickness, is a common condition of pregnancy. Many researchers believe that NVP should be regarded as a continuum of symptoms that may impact an affected woman's physical, mental and social well-being to varying degrees. Hyperemesis gravidarum represents the severe end of the continuum. No specific line exists that separates hyperemesis gravidarum from NVP; in most cases, affected individuals progress from mild or moderate nausea and vomiting to hyperemesis gravidarum. The exact cause of hyperemesis gravidarum is not known.

Resources

National Women's Health Resource Center
157 Broad Street
Suite 315
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Tel: (732)530-3425
Fax: (732)530-3347
Tel: (877)986-9472
Email: mchin@healthywomen.org
Internet: http://www.healthywomen.org

National Women's Health Network
514 10th Street NW
Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20004
USA
Tel: 2026287814
Fax: 2023471168
Email: nwhn@nwhn.org
Internet: http://www.womenshealthnetwork.org

National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
121 N. Washington Street
Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
USA
Tel: 7038366110
Fax: 7038363470
Email: info@hmhb.org
Internet: http://www.hmhb.org

NIH/Office of Research on Women's Health
9000 Rockville Pike
Building 1, Rm 201
Bethesda, MD 20892
Tel: (301)402-1770
Fax: (301)402-1798
Internet: http://www.4.od.nih.gov/orwh

NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
31 Center Dr
Building 31, Room 2A32
MSC2425
Bethesda, MD 20892
Tel: (301)496-5133
Fax: (301)496-7101
Internet: http://www.nih.gov/hichd/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 5/1/2006
Copyright 1999, 2002, 2003, 2006 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.