Hyperemesis gravidarum in Eastern Asian population.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features of hyperemesis gravidarum in Eastern Asian women. METHOD: Retrospective cohort study was conducted based on delivery records. Hyperemesis gravidarum was defined as a pregnancy with severe nausea and vomiting necessitating hospitalization with a body weight loss of over 5% from pre-pregnancy weight with ketonuria. The onset is at 10 weeks of gestation or less. Maternal and neonatal variables were compared. RESULT: There were 3,350 singleton deliveries in the study period. All subjects were Eastern Asian women. Hyperemesis gravidarum was observed in 119 cases (3.6%). Hyperemesis gravidarum subjects had a smaller pre-pregnancy body weight (50.5 +/- 0.64 kg vs. 51.8 +/- 0.16 kg, p = 0.046) and a smaller pre-pregnancy body mass index compared to non-hyperemetic subjects (20.2 +/- 0.21 kg/m2 vs. 20.8 +/- 0.06 kg/m2, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The Eastern Asian population had a significantly higher incidence of hyperemesis gravidarum. Small pre-pregnancy body habitus increased the risk of hyperemesis gravidarum.