Familial aggregation of hyperemesis gravidarum.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to determine whether there is familial aggregation of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), making it a disease amenable to genetic study.


METHODS
Cases with severe nausea and vomiting in a singleton pregnancy treated with intravenous hydration and unaffected friend controls completed a survey regarding family history.


RESULTS
Sisters of women with HG have a significantly increased risk of having HG themselves (odds ratio, 17.3; P = .005). Cases have a significantly increased risk of having a mother with severe nausea and vomiting; 33% of cases reported an affected mother compared to 7.7% of controls (P < .0001). Cases reported a similar frequency of affected second-degree maternal and paternal relatives (18% maternal lineage, 23% paternal lineage).


CONCLUSIONS
There is familial aggregation of HG. This study provides strong evidence for a genetic component to HG. Identification of the predisposing gene(s) may determine the cause of this poorly understood disease of pregnancy.
Zhang
Yafeng
Y
Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Cantor
Rita M
RM
MacGibbon
Kimber
K
Romero
Roberto
R
Goodwin
Thomas M
TM
Mullin
Patrick M
PM
Fejzo
Marlena S
MS
D000328:Adult; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006939:Hyperemesis Gravidarum / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D009325:Nausea; D011247:Pregnancy; D014839:Vomiting