Low prepregnancy ideal weight:height ratio in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if a low prepregnancy weight:height ratio is a risk factor for hyperemesis.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted on 38 patients admitted to North Shore University Hospital for hyperemesis over a 5-year period. Prepregnancy weight, body mass index and percent ideal weight:height ratio in this group were compared to findings on 79 randomly selected control patients not admitted for hyperemesis.


RESULTS
There was a significantly higher incidence of prepregnancy underweight women (low percent ideal weight for height) in patients admitted for hyperemesis as compared to controls (P < .01). Thyroid-stimulating hormone was low in 19% of patients tested.


CONCLUSIONS
A low prepregnancy percent ideal weight:height ratio may predispose women to the development of hyperemesis.
Rochelson
Burton
B
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 10030, USA. brochels@nshs.edu
Vohra
Nidhi
N
Darvishzadeh
J
J
Pagano
Michelle
M
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006939:Hyperemesis Gravidarum / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors