Low prepregnancy ideal weight:height ratio in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if a low prepregnancy weight:height ratio is a risk factor for hyperemesis.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective chart review was conducted on 38 patients admitted to North Shore University Hospital for hyperemesis over a 5-year period. Prepregnancy weight, body mass index and percent ideal weight:height ratio in this group were compared to findings on 79 randomly selected control patients not admitted for hyperemesis.

RESULTS

There was a significantly higher incidence of prepregnancy underweight women (low percent ideal weight for height) in patients admitted for hyperemesis as compared to controls (P < .01). Thyroid-stimulating hormone was low in 19% of patients tested.

CONCLUSION

A low prepregnancy percent ideal weight:height ratio may predispose women to the development of hyperemesis.