The Existence of Continuous Systemic Inflammation in Pregnant Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Abstract

BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the serum inflammatory markers in the first trimester in which hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) usually occurs and in the late second trimester when symptoms of HG usually resolve. MATERIALS and METHODSThe study population consisted of 170 pregnant women with HG and 185 healthy gestational-age-matched controls. White blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) were compared during the first and the late second trimester. RESULTS In INTRODUCTIONNausea and vomiting are the most common complaints of pregnant women in the first trimester, affecting 70%-80% of all pregnancies (1). These mild symptoms are usually described as morning sickness (2) because nausea and vomiting typically occur in the morning and resolve during the day time. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (3) that leads to weight loss, dehydration, electrolyte and acid-base imbalances, ketonuria, and nutritional deficiency (4). It affects 0.8%-3.2% of pregnant women (5, 6).

Hematological Parameters to Predict the Severity of Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Ketonuria

“… 21 In a prospective study including 355 pregnant women, the WBC, NLR, PLR, and RDW were found to be higher in the HG group, and even in the late second trimester of pregnancy, they remained high in patients with HG. 22 A study by Çintesun et al 23 demonstrated that the NLR and PLR were effective markers in HG. In agreement with the literature, the NLR and PLR were high in patients with HG in the present study.…”