A novel approach to hyperemesis gravidarum: evaluation by a visual analogue scale score and treatment with transdermal clonidine

Objective: A preliminary report on the symptomatic effect of clonidine in severe hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).

Design: Observational.

Settting: Hospital based: Ospedale Sant'Anna, Torino, Italy.

Population: Twelve pregnant women, 8-16 weeks, affected by severe, refractory HG.

Methods: Assessment by two clinical score indexes: Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) score and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) 5-item questionnaire, filled out daily, to detect subjective improvement or worsening of symptoms.

Main outcome measures: PUQE score and VAS score before and after transdermal clonidine treatment.

Results: We found substantial improvement of symptoms and severity score indexes after four and 14 days. The comparison of pretreatment and post-treatment scores shows a significant statistical difference P < 0.0001.

Conclusion: Transdermal clonidine may be considered as a treatment for resistant severe HG.