A new study finds women with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, are more than 50% more likely to develop 13 serious mental health conditions.
When pregnancy nausea goes way beyond the usual “morning sickness,” it can seriously affect a woman’s mental health, a new study finds.
The condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, or HG, causes nonstop nausea and vomiting so severe it can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and hospitalization.
Researchers examined health records from nearly 477,000 women across 18 countries and found women with HG were more than 50% more likely to develop 13 serious mental health disorders, including postpartum psychosis and PTSD.
Their risk of postpartum depression nearly tripled, and their chances of developing an eating disorder more than doubled, according to the results.
“Many of these conditions would warrant urgent referral to specialist services for urgent assessment and treatment to ensure safety of mother and child,” Hamilton Morrin, Lead Researcher, King’s College
The study also linked HG to Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a rare neurological condition caused by vitamin B1 deficiencies.
The researchers say even milder cases of HG can take a heavy toll, leaving women feeling anxious, isolated, and overwhelmed.
They recommend all women with hyperemesis gravidarum be screened for mental health problems, not just treated for the physical symptoms.
Source: The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health
Author Affiliations: King’s College London, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, University of Duisburg-Essen
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