ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of corticosteroids for the treatment of sever form of hyperemsis gravidarum.
STUDY DESIGN: Patients with hyperemsis gravidarum not responding to outpatient therapy were enrolled in the study. Outpatient therapy is standardized as metoclopramide 10 mg every 6 hours. The treatment includes hospital admission and intravenous hydration with crystaloid. Cinventional treatment with metoclopramide 10 mg intravenously every 6 hours for 24 hours followed by the same regimen orally till discharge from hospital. The women are randomely adminstered, in a double blind fashion, methylprednisolone 125 mg followed by tapering regimen of oral prednisone or no further treatment. Patients were evaluated by clincal (duration of admission, nausea, vomiting, weight and hospital readmission) and laboratory data (liver function tests, renal function tests and electrolytes).
RESULTS: Seventy women were enrolled in the study within a duration of about 1 year and 2 months divided into 2 groups (35 patients in each group). Patients in corticosteroids groups had significantly shorter duration in hospital stay, lower number of nausea & vomiting and better wieght gain than patient with no furteher treatment.
CONCLUSION:Cortoicosteroids is of beneficial effect on patients with sever form of hyperemsis gravidarum with no known harmful effect on short regimen.