Helicobacter pylori seropositivity in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that infection with Helicobacter pylori is associated with hyperemesis gravidarum. METHODS From November 1999 to February 2001, we enrolled 54 pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum and 53 asymptomatic pregnant women in a prospective study. Specific serum immunoglobulin G for Helicobacter pylori was assayed in the sera of the study group and compared with the asymptomatic group. Chi-square and Student's t-test were used accordingly for statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS Serologically positive Helicobacter pylori infection was detected in 44 out of 54 patients with hyperemesis gravidarum (81.5%) whereas 29 out of 53 asymptomatic gravidas (54.7%) had positive antibody titers for Helicobacter pylori. The ratio of Helicobacter pylori seropositivity in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum was significantly higher than asymptomatic pregnant women (P<0.01). The mean (+/-S.D.) of the IgG titer was 69.7 (+/-77.5) in the hyperemesis gravidarum group and 34.5 (+/-47.8) in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS There is a significant association between Helicobacter pylori infection and hyperemesis gravidarum in our hyperemetic pregnant patients.