Hyperemesis gravidarum: is an ultrasound scan necessary?
BACKGROUND
Traditionally, in cases of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), an ultrasound evaluation is recommended to confirm viability and to exclude multiple pregnancies and gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). Our aim was to perform a case-control study to evaluate the incidence of these findings.


METHODS
Each case of HG was matched for gestational age with the next ultrasound examination performed in an asymptomatic pregnancy. The findings were compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
Two hundred and eighty-six cases of HG were matched with 286 asymptomatic women. The total number of viable pregnancies was higher in the HG group (280/286, 97.9%) than that in the control group (265/286, 92.6%; P = 0.006). The incidence of twins was 3.1% in each group (P > 0.999). The incidence of early pregnancy failure was 0.7% in women with HG compared to 7.0% in asymptomatic women (odds ratio 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.04, P < 0.0001). The one case of GTD was in the HG group; however, this case also presented with vaginal bleeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancies complicated by HG had a similar risk of twin pregnancy, and a lower risk of early pregnancy failure compared to controls. In the absence of vaginal bleeding, there was no increase in GTD in women with HG. We conclude that an ultrasound scan is not clinically necessary in women presenting with HG, other than for maternal reassurance.
Kirk
Emma
E
Early Pregnancy, Gynaecological Ultrasound and MAS Unit, University of London, UK. ejkirk@hotmail.co.uk
Papageorghiou
Aris T
AT
Condous
George
G
Bottomley
Cecilia
C
Bourne
Tom
T
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006939:Hyperemesis Gravidarum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D014427:Twins; D014463:Ultrasonography