Effect of hyperemesis gravidarum on child neurodevelopment
Gideon Koren, Rana Cohen
Abstract
Background
Pregnancy outcome following hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) has been sparsely reported. This review article aims at critically reviewing the first prospective study of foetal long-term neurodevelopment after maternal HG.
Aims
This review aimed at critically appraising the first prospective human study that aimed at investigating long term child neurodevelopment after exposure to maternal HG.
Methods
In this study, women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy treated with doxylamine–pyridoxine (Diclectin) or with no pharmacotherapy were prospectively recruited. Their children (ages 3 6/12 to 6 11/12 years) were assessed for development using standardized psychological tests. The study cohort was divided into 2 groups: 1) severe NVP necessitating hospitalization of the woman for rehydration and electrolyte corrections (n=22) and 2) all other cases of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (n=197).
Results
Children of hospitalized mothers achieved significantly lower IQ scores than the rest of the children on verbal, performance and full scale IQ. In multivariable linear regression duration of hospitalization, maternal depression and maternal IQ were significant predictors for these outcomes.
Conclusion
This first prospective human study documented that HG is associated with an increased risk for lower cognitive outcome among HG- exposed offspring. More research is needed to examine whether early use of anti-emetics may prevent hospitalization, leading to favourable child neurodevelopment.
Full Text:
Pregnancy outcome following hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) has been sparsely reported. This review article aims at critically reviewing the first prospective study of foetal long-term neurodevelopment after maternal HG.
Aims
This review aimed at critically appraising the first prospective human study that aimed at investigating long term child neurodevelopment after exposure to maternal HG.
Methods
In this study, women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy treated with doxylamine–pyridoxine (Diclectin) or with no pharmacotherapy were prospectively recruited. Their children (ages 3 6/12 to 6 11/12 years) were assessed for development using standardized psychological tests. The study cohort was divided into 2 groups: 1) severe NVP necessitating hospitalization of the woman for rehydration and electrolyte corrections (n=22) and 2) all other cases of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (n=197).
Results
Children of hospitalized mothers achieved significantly lower IQ scores than the rest of the children on verbal, performance and full scale IQ. In multivariable linear regression duration of hospitalization, maternal depression and maternal IQ were significant predictors for these outcomes.
Conclusion
This first prospective human study documented that HG is associated with an increased risk for lower cognitive outcome among HG- exposed offspring. More research is needed to examine whether early use of anti-emetics may prevent hospitalization, leading to favourable child neurodevelopment.
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