Helicobacter pylori seropositivity in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1999 Sep;66(3):251-4. doi: 10.1016/s0020-7292(99)00091-0.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the hypothesis that there was an association between hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection.

Methods: The study group consisted of 95 pregnant women with HG and 116 asymptomatic pregnant women who were admitted to our hospital between January 1997 and October 1998. Specific serum immunoglobulin G for HP was assayed in the sera of the study group after informed consent was obtained. Chi-square and Student's t-test were used accordingly for statistical analysis of the data.

Results: Serologically positive HP infection was detected in 87 of the 95 patients with HG (91.5%) whereas 52 of the 116 asymptomatic gravidas (44.8%) serving as the control group had positive antibody concentrations against HP. The ratio of HP positivity in pregnant women with HG was significantly higher than asymptomatic pregnant women (P < 0.001). The mean index percentages of IgG titers were 73.8 +/- 9.7% in the hyperemesis gravidarum and 25.8 +/- 5.6% control group (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: HP infection seemed to be significantly associated with hyperemesis gravidarum in our pregnant patient population with hyperemesis gravidarum.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Helicobacter Infections / diagnosis*
  • Helicobacter Infections / epidemiology
  • Helicobacter pylori / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Hyperemesis Gravidarum / microbiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Turkey / epidemiology