Severe Morning Sickness: Causes and Treatment Options

Quick summary

• Morning Sickness Prevalence: Around 70% of pregnant individuals experience morning sickness (nausea or vomiting, often misnamed as limited to mornings). Severe cases may persist throughout pregnancy.
• Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG): A severe form affecting up to 3% of pregnancies, HG leads to debilitating nausea and vomiting that can result in dehydration and hospitalization. Notable sufferers include Catherine, Princess of Wales, and comedian amy Schumer.
• Genetic Link Discovery: Marlena Fejzo at USC identified two genes-GDF15 and IGFBP7-involved in HG; her research shows hypersensitivity due to lower production of GDF15 causes extreme symptoms during pregnancy.
• Evolutionary Aspect: GDF15 is a stress-response hormone evolved possibly as protective behavior but now less relevant for humans’ modern environments.
• Treatment developments: Promising treatments under analysis include the diabetes drug metformin (which raises GDF15 levels before pregnancy),along with antibody therapies targeting receptors for this hormone.

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