A study to identify clinical and laboratory parameters in cases of excessive vomiting in early pregnancy
Background: Around half of all pregnant women experience vomiting, and more than 80% of women experience nausea in the first 12 weeks. Women with severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy may have hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), an entity distinct from nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), which if left untreated may lead to significant maternal and foetal morbidity. In our study, we studied, clinical and laboratory parameters in patients presenting with excessive vomiting. The study may help in evaluating what is the major clinical problem encountered during treatment and how many days of care are needed in such cases.Methods: The study design was a prospective observational study. Patients attending the ANC clinic and emergency indoor cases at Peoples college of medical sciences, Bhopal were considered as study population. 100 patients who satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Patient’s sociodemographic variables, detailed obstetric history, clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded. Results obtained were analysed and tabulated.Results: Persistence of vomiting in the first trimester leading to dehydration and hospitalization was documented in 12% of patients. The 5% of then had metabolic acidosis and 1% required correction of starvation ketoacidosis, but there was not significant weight loss observed in any of the case. Liver function test were normal in almost in all cases except 9% had raised serum alkaline phosphatase levels.Conclusions: All cases with vomiting in early pregnancy should receive attention and exclusion of all emergency clinical conditions. Patient should be screened for urine tract infection and diabetes in all cases.