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Name: Mykalee Y.
Status: Other
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
I recently read an article that made a correlation between H. pylori and hyperemesis (severe morning sickness).

Do you think there is just cause for a person with a history of severe morning sickness to have a H. pylori test?


Replies:
There is quite a lot of literature on the possible correlation of H.pylori infection and morning sickness. A recent review was published in American Journal of Perinatology 2000;17(4):207-18 reviewing the current literature. Quoted from that paper: "Review of the literature supports that hyperemesis gravidarum is a multifactorial disease in which pregnancy-induced hormonal changes associated with concurrent gastrointestinal dysmotility and possible Helicobacter pylori infection function as contributing factors. Therapeutic key elements are mainly supportive in conjunction with antiemetic medication. It appears perinatal outcome is unaffected."

Treatment against H. pylori infection involves a triple antibiotic therapy and has a high success rate. Your MD should be informed of a pregnancy. If he/she is not aware of the correlation between Hpylori and the symptoms, mention that reference.

For more information on H.pylori check out the species file in the Virtual Museum of Bacteria:

http://www.bacteriamuseum.org/species/helicobacter.shtml

Dr. Trudy Wassenaar


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