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.
Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Yafeng
Y
Zhang
Rita M
RM
Cantor
Kimber
K
MacGibbon
Roberto
R
Romero
Thomas M
TM
Goodwin
Patrick M
PM
Mullin
Marlena S
MS
Fejzo
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