The impact of total parenteral nutrition support on pregnancy outcome in women with hyperemesis gravidarum

Abstract

Objective: To assess pregnancy outcome among women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HEG) with and without total parenteral nutrition (TPN) support.

Study design: A retrospective study of all pregnant women with singleton pregnancies who were hospitalized due to HEG between 1997 and 2011. Pregnancy outcome was compared with a control group without HEG matched by maternal age and parity in a 3:1 ratio.

Results: Overall 599 women were admitted during the study period with the diagnosis of HEG and subsequently delivered in our center. Of those, 122 (20.4%) received TPN support. Women in the HEG group were characterized by a higher rate of severe preeclampsia (1.3% versus 0.5%, p = 0.04), and a higher rate of preterm delivery at less than 37 and 34 weeks (10.9% versus 6.9%, p < 0.001 and 4.7% versus 1.6%, p < 0.001, respectively). Neonates in the HEG group were characterized by a lower birth weight (3074 ± 456 g versus 3248 ± 543 g, p < 0.001), higher rate of birth weight < 10th percentile (12.7% versus 6.8%, p < 0.001), and a higher rate of neonatal morbidity (8.7% versus 3.8%, p < 0.001). These associations persisted after adjustment for potential confounders, and were of most notable among women with HEG who did not receive TPN support.

Conclusion: HEG is an independent risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcome. TPN support during early pregnancy is associated with a decreased risk for perinatal morbidity.

• Hyperemesis gravidarum
• pregnancy
• total parenteral nutrition