Frequency of Hyperemesis Gravidarum and associated risk factors among pregnant women

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and associated factors among pregnant women. METHODS: The hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2016 to March 2017 at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Peshawar, District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ), Mardan, and District Headquarter Hospital, Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and comprised data of 146 pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Data was compiled using pre-designed proforma. Frequency data of HG was also collected from the two hospitals of Peshawar and Mardan presenting in 2015 and 2016. Blood samples of all patients were analysed for serum electrolytes and complete blood count. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010.. RESULTS: Mean frequency of HG in LRH Peshawar and DHQ Mardan during 2015 and 2016 was 14.5% and 8.34% respectively. Of the 146 women, 103(70.5%) belonged to Nowshera, 24(16.4%) to Peshawar and 19(13%) to Mardan. The overall mean age was 27+/-4.9 years, and maximum number of patients 67(45.89%) were aged 26-30 years. Major risk factor was urinary tract infection in Nowshera 30(29%) and Mardan 5(26.3%), while no major factor was identified in Peshawar. Patients in the first trimester were 59(57.28%) in Nowshera, 19(100%) in Mardan and 19(83.3%) in Peshawar, and primigravidas were 19(18.4%), 6(25%) and 8(42%) respectively. Overall, 119(81.5%) patients had no history of abortion. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum was high in Nowshera, Mardan and Peshawar, predominantly during the first trimester of pregnancy.