Research on HG's short- and long-term effects is desperately needed and needed now. We need to do more to find a cure for this disease that has such devastating effects on a growing number of soon-to-be mothers.
- Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA)
Current Research
Currently, the HER Foundation, in collaboration with USC, is researching many aspects of HG but focused on:
- genes involved in nausea/vomiting of pregnancy,
- impact of nutritional supplementation,
- benefits of the HG Care App,
- accuracy and application of the HELP Score,
- treatment of HG,
- provider, ER, and hospital.
These HG researchers need your help regardless if you have had or have not had HG. Please join our studies, support our work, and help make progress for tomorrow’s mothers and babies.
Current Poll
Why More Research Is Needed
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) was first recognized several centuries ago and was thought to be related to a physiological cause such as toxins, ulcerations, or infection. However, in the 20th century, it was erroneously decided that HG was caused by psychological conflicts instead. Limited research and outdated theories have fostered this belief for over a century, resulting in unnecessary suffering and financial loss for too many women and their families, not to mention the adverse impact on the health of both mother and baby.
Now, our team has discovered genes that influence or cause the development of HG! Our HG genetic findings change everything. We are beginning to finally understand the reason for HG symptoms and individual treatment response. We need to expand this research as well as validate the treatments and tools that will improve the care of the outcomes of mothers and their children.
With rare grant funding given for any HG research project including these groundbreaking genetic studies with Dr. Marlena Fejzo, the world's leading scientist on HG, please support our work.
Our Research
The HER Foundation is the leading non-profit organization globally dedicated to research and education of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) causes, treatments, and impact. The ultimate goals of our research are to
- increase awareness and utilization of medical treatment,
- prevent potentially devastating consequences of HG, and
- equip families and health professionals with the information they need to effectively manage HG, and
- give mothers and babies a chance at a healthy future.
Research Findings
(Collaborative projects of the HER Foundation with Dr. Marlena Fejzo (Board Member and Research Advisor/Liason), USC & UCLA, and other universities)
**Note: Nearly all of these studies have been fully funded by donations to the HER Foundation and private donors or partnerships.
Prevalence, Recurrence & Reviews
- Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum
-- NATURE REVIEWS | Disease Primers, 2019 (Supplemental material; poster) - Psychiatric factors do not affect recurrence risk of hyperemesis gravidarum
-- Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 2015 - Change in Paternity and Recurrence of Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
-- The Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, 2011. - Recurrence Risk of Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
-- J Midwifery Womens Health, 2011.
Causes & Genetics
- Whole-exome sequencing uncovers new variants in GDF15 associated with hyperemesis gravidarum, BJOG, 2022.
- Abstract: Additional risk variant in GDF15 and a stronger maternal genetic influence linked to Hyperemesis Gravidarum
--AJOG, 2020. ACOG POSTER - Hormone receptor genes PGR and GFRAL linked to hyperemesis gravidarum
--AJOG, 2019. - Analysis of GDF15 and IGFBP7 in Hyperemesis Gravidarum Support Causality
--Geburtsh Frauenheilk, 2019. - Evidence GDF15 Plays a Role in Familial and Recurrent HG
--Geburtsh Frauenheilk, 2018. - Placenta and appetite genes GDF15 and IGFBP7 are associated with hyperemesis gravidarum
--Nature Communications, 2018. (www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03258-0) - Genetic analysis of hyperemesis gravidarum reveals association with
intracellular calcium release channel (RYR2)
--Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 2016. - Hyperemesis gravidarum: it is time to put an end to the misguided theory of a psychiatric etiology
-- SciVerse ScienceDirect, 2012 - Familial aggregation of hyperemesis gravidarum.
-- AJOG, 2010. - High prevalence of severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum among relatives of affected individuals.
-- Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol., 2008
Risks & Outcomes (Complications/Impact)
- Pregnant, Miserable, and Starving in 21st Century America
--AJOG Clinical Opinion, 2022 - Analysis of neurodevelopmental delay in children exposed in utero to hyperemesis gravidarum reveals increased reporting of autism spectrum disorder
--Reproductive Toxicology, 2019 - Measures of depression and anxiety in women with hyperemesis gravidarum are flawed
-- Evid Based Nurs, 2017 - Analysis of pre- and post-pregnancy issues in women with hyperemesis gravidarum
-- Autonomic Neuroscience, 2016 - Long-term health effects in children exposed in utero to hyperemesis gravidarum
-- Clin Obstet Gynecol Reprod Med, 2016 - Ondansetron in pregnancy and risk of adverse fetal outcomes in the United States
-- Reproductive Toxicology, 2016 - Mortality Secondary to Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Case Report (Wernicke's Encephalopathy; ODS; thiamin)
-- Women’s Health & Gynecology, 2015 - Neurodevelopmental delay in children exposed in utero to hyperemesis gravidarum
-- European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 2015 - Intestinal obstruction is a rare complication of ondansetron exposure in hyperemesis gravidarum
-- Reproductive Toxicology, 2015 - Antihistamines and other prognostic factors for adverse outcome in hyperemesis gravidarum.
-- European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biolog, 2013 - No Increased Risk of Psychological/Behavioral Disorders in Siblings of Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) unless their Mother had HG
-- Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, 2012 - Prenatal exposure to hyperemesis gravidarum linked to increased risk of psychological and behavioral disorders in adulthood.
-- Journal of Developmental Disorders of Health and Disease, 2011. - Risk factors, treatments, and outcomes associated with prolonged hyperemesis gravidarum.
-- Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, 2011. - Posttraumatic stress symptoms following pregnancy complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum. -- Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, 2011.
- Symptoms and Pregnancy Outcomes Associated with Extreme Weight Loss Among Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
-- Journal of Women's Health, 2009 - Case Report: Patients with a history of hyperemesis gravidarum have similar symptoms during egg stimulation and develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
-- Fertility and Sterility, 2009 - Elective pregnancy termination in a large cohort of women with hyperemesis gravidarum.
-- Contraception, 2007 - The psychosocial burden of hyperemesis gravidarum.
-- Journal of Perinatology, 2007
Treatment & Management
- Patterns of Use and Self Reported Effectiveness of Cannabis for Hyperemesis Gravidarum
--Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd, 2022 - Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Strategies to Improve Outcomes
-- Journal of Infusion Nursing, 2020 - Why are Women Still Dying from Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy?
-- Gynecology & Obstetrics Case report, 2016 - Ondansetron in pregnancy and risk of adverse fetal outcomes in the United States
-- Reproductive Toxicology, 2016 - Antihistamines and other prognostic factors for adverse outcome in hyperemesis gravidarum.
-- European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biolog, 2013 - Secular Trends in the Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
-- American Journal of Perinatology, 2007
Other Research & Presentations
- HyperEmesis Level Prediction (HELP Score) Identifies Patients
with Indicators of Severe Disease: a Validation Study
-- Geburtsh Frauenheilk, 2021 (German & English) - A patient–clinician James Lind Alliance partnership to identify research priorities for hyperemesis gravidarum
-- BMJ, 2020 - Performance of iPhone Hyperemesis Gravidarum Care App
-- J Clinical Case Rep Case Studies, 2019 - SMFM 2019 Genetics Poster
- Research Presentation Poster:
Symptomatology and Outcomes of Women with HG as Reported in a Large Registry - Research Presentation Poster:
Familial Aggregation of HG - Research Presentation Poster:
Voluntary Termination in a Large Cohort of Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum - Research Presentation Poster:
Secular Trends in the Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum - Research Presentation Poster:
Extreme Weight Loss and Extended Duration of Symptoms Common in Hyperemesis Gravidarum
