A major breakthrough may soon bring relief to millions of pregnant women suffering from a condition so severe it can leave them bedridden for months. Scientists at the University of Cambridge believe they have found the cause of hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness, and their discovery could lead to an effective treatment in the near future.
What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a rare but serious pregnancy condition that affects about 1 to 3 in every 100 pregnancies. Unlike typical morning sickness, HG causes extreme nausea and vomiting that can lead to weight loss, dehydration, and even hospitalization. Some women report vomiting more than 50 times a day, making it difficult to eat, drink, or carry on daily life.
For many, this condition lasts well beyond the first trimester and in some cases, continues throughout the entire pregnancy. HG can have both physical and emotional impacts on mothers, causing isolation, depression, and even thoughts of ending the pregnancy.
A New Understanding of the Cause
The recent study, published in the journal Nature, reveals that a hormone called GDF15, which is produced by the baby in the womb, may be the key culprit. According to Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly, who led the research, the more sensitive a mother is to this hormone, the more severe her symptoms will be.
The researchers found that women who were already exposed to high levels of GDF15 before pregnancy, such as those with the blood disorder beta thalassemia, were less likely to experience extreme nausea. On the other hand, women with low pre-pregnancy levels of the hormone were more likely to become sick once their hormone levels spiked during pregnancy.
This suggests that early exposure to the hormone—or finding a way to block it from reaching the brain—could help prevent or reduce symptoms of HG.
The Impact on Mothers
Women who have experienced HG describe it as life-altering. Susie Verrill, a mother of three, was bedridden for five months during two of her pregnancies. She said the condition was so overwhelming that she considered terminating her pregnancy. “I couldn’t breathe without retching,” she recalled. “Greg [her partner] became my carer. You have to make your world very small to survive.”
Another mother, Vivienne Kumar, was sick up to ten times an hour during her pregnancies. She described feeling completely shut off from the world and was later hospitalized for over a week before tragically losing her baby.
These stories are not uncommon among women with HG. Until recently, the condition was often dismissed as a more intense version of morning sickness. But for those who experience it, HG is a medical emergency that requires serious treatment and support.
How the New Discovery Could Lead to a Cure
By targeting the GDF15 hormone and its specific receptor in the brain, scientists believe they can develop a treatment that blocks the hormone’s effects. This would allow pregnant women to avoid the severe nausea and vomiting associated with HG.
Researchers are now working on developing medications or therapies based on this mechanism. Early-stage treatments may involve exposing women to small amounts of GDF15 before pregnancy or creating drugs that prevent the hormone from binding to its receptor. According to Professor O’Rahilly, this approach offers a promising and safe path to finally treating this condition.
When Will a Cure Be Available?
While this breakthrough offers hope, a widely available treatment is still a few years away. More testing and clinical trials are needed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of any new medication. However, experts are optimistic that this discovery has paved the way for the first real cure for hyperemesis gravidarum.
Charlotte Howden, head of the charity Pregnancy Sickness Support, called the research long overdue. “This is a condition that’s been ignored for too long,” she said. “Thanks to the dedication of these researchers, we now have hope for real change.”
What You Can Do If You Suspect HG
If you’re pregnant and experiencing severe nausea, constant vomiting, weight loss, or dehydration, don’t wait to get help. Contact your healthcare provider immediately. Common treatments include anti-nausea medications, IV fluids, and in extreme cases, feeding tubes to ensure you and your baby get enough nutrition.
While no treatment works for everyone yet, the future looks brighter. With this new understanding of the biological cause behind hyperemesis gravidarum, researchers are closer than ever to providing lasting relief for mothers worldwide.
