Feeding jejunostomy for the treatment of severe hyperemesis gravidarum: a case series

The Management of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Green-top Guideline No. 69)

An objective and validated index of nausea and vomiting such as the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) and HyperEmesis Level Prediction (HELP) tools can be used to classify the severity of NVP and HG. [Grade C] Ketonuria is not an indicator of dehydration and should not be used to assess severity. [Grade A] There are safety and efficacy data for first line antiemetics such as anti (H1) histamines, phenothiazines and doxylamine/pyridoxine (Xonvea®) and they should be prescribed initially when required for NVP and HG (Appendix III). [Grade A] There is evidence that ondansetron is safe and effective. Its use as a second line antiemetic should not be discouraged if first line antiemetics are ineffective. Women can be reassured regarding a very small increase in the absolute risk of orofacial clefting with ondansetron use in the first trimester, which should be balanced with the risks of poorly managed HG. [Grade B] Metoclopramide is safe and effective and can be used alone or in combination with other antiemetics. [Grade B] Because of the risk of extrapyramidal effects metoclopramide should be used as second-line therapy. Intravenous doses should be administered by slow bolus injection over at least 3 minutes to help minimise these. [Grade C] Women should be asked about previous adverse reactions to antiemetic therapies. If adverse reactions occur, there should be prompt cessation of the medications. [GPP] Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) with additional potassium chloride in each bag, with administration guided by daily monitoring of electrolytes, is the most appropriate intravenous hydration. [Grade C] Combinations of different drugs should be used in women who do not respond to a single antiemetic. Suggested antiemetics for UK use are given in Appendix III. [GPP] Thiamine supplementation (either oral 100 mg tds or intravenous as part of vitamin B complex (Pabrinex®)) should be given to all women admitted with vomiting, or severely reduced dietary intake, especially before administration of dextrose or parenteral nutrition. [Grade D] All therapeutic measures should have been tried before considering termination of pregnancy. [Grade C].

Inpatient Management of Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Hyperemesis gravidarum has a reported incidence of approximately 0.3-3% of pregnancies. Without treatment, refractory hyperemesis gravidarum can result in dehydration, electrolyte deficiencies, and severe nutritional deficiencies, resulting in significant maternal morbidity. The overall goals of inpatient management of refractory hyperemesis gravidarum are the resumption of oral intake to an adequate level to maintain hydration and nutrition, including the ability to tolerate oral pharmacotherapy. Patients initially are stabilized with rehydration and electrolyte repletion. There are numerous pharmacotherapeutics available that can be administered intravenously to control symptoms when oral intake is not an option. However, despite maximizing typical antiemetics, there will be cases refractory to these medications, and alternative pharmacotherapeutics and nutrition-support modalities must be considered. Mirtazapine, olanzapine, corticosteroids, and gabapentin are examples of alternative pharmacotherapeutics, and enteral and parenteral nutrition are alternative therapies that can be used when oral intake is not tolerated for prolonged time periods with ongoing weight loss. In refractory cases of hyperemesis gravidarum, the risks and benefits of these alternative forms of management must be considered, along with the risks of undertreated hyperemesis gravidarum and the overall effect of hyperemesis gravidarum on patients' quality of life.

Gastroparesis in pregnancy

Gastroparesis is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that more commonly affects women, with most cases being diagnosed during childbearing age. However, there is a paucity of data and guidelines to specifically highlight the epidemiology, disease course, maternal and fetal impact, and the management of existing gastroparesis during pregnancy. Apart from metoclopramide, there is no approved therapy specifically indicated for gastroparesis. More importantly, pregnant and breastfeeding women are excluded from clinical trials evaluating pharmacologic agents in the management of gastroparesis. This poses a real challenge to healthcare providers in counseling and managing patients with gastroparesis. In this systematic review, we summarize the current available literature and the knowledge gaps in the impact of pregnancy on gastroparesis and vice versa. We also highlight the efficacy and safety profiles of available pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies in the management of patients with gastroparesis, with emphasis on judicious use of dietary approaches that are deemed relatively safe during pregnancy.

Safety of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Placement in Pregnancy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Gastrostomy tube placement in pregnancy is historically contraindicated due to risk of injury to the developing fetus and exposure to anesthetic agents. However, in cases where oral nutritional access is severely jeopardized, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement can be a life-saving measure. In this case report and literature review, we present a case of successful PEG placement in a pregnant woman, followed by a discussion of the existing literature regarding PEG placement during pregnancy.

Nutritional consequences and management of hyperemesis gravidarum: a narrative review

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a condition at the extreme end of the pregnancy sickness spectrum, estimated to affect 1-2 % of pregnant women. This narrative review provides an overview of the current literature concerning the nutritional implications and management of HG. HG can persist throughout pregnancy, causing malnutrition, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and unintended weight loss, requiring hospital admission in most cases. In addition to its negative effect on maternal, physical and psychological wellbeing, HG can negatively impact fetal growth and may have adverse consequences on the health of the offspring. HG care and research have been hampered in the past due to stigma, inconsistent diagnostic criteria, mismanagement and lack of investment. Little is known about the nutritional intake of women with HG and whether poor intake at critical stages of pregnancy is associated with perinatal outcomes. Effective treatment requires a combination of medical interventions, lifestyle changes, dietary changes, supportive care and patient education. There is, however, limited evidence-based research on the effectiveness of dietary approaches. Enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition are generally reserved for the most intractable cases, where other treatment modalities have failed. Wernicke encephalopathy is a rare but very serious and avoidable consequence of unmanaged HG. A recent priority-setting exercise involving patients, clinicians and researchers highlighted the importance of nutrition research to all. Future research should focus on these priorities to better understand the nutritional implications of HG. Ultimately improved recognition and management of malnutrition in HG is required to prevent complications and optimise nutritional care.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Strategies to Improve Outcomes

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a debilitating and potentially life-threatening pregnancy disease marked by weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration attributed to unrelenting nausea and/or vomiting; HG increases the risk of adverse outcomes for the mother and child(ren). The complexity of HG affects every aspect of a woman's life during and after pregnancy. Without methodical intervention by knowledgeable and proactive clinicians, life-threatening complications may develop. Effectively managing HG requires an understanding of both physical and psychosocial stressors, recognition of potential risks and complications, and proactive assessment and treatment strategies using innovative clinical tools.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Jejunostomy Tube Placement for Treatment of Severe Hyperemesis Gravidarum in Pregnancy

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a common disease. Most patients are effectively treated with conservative measures, but gastric feeding and, rarely, post-pyloric feeding can be necessary. A 27-year-old woman, G3P2002, with a history of refractory hyperemesis in previous pregnancies, required placement of a nasojejunal tube but was removed due to an oropharyngeal ulcer. Endoscopic placement of a percutaneous endoscopic transgastric-jejunostomy (PEG-J) tube caused resolution of her symptoms. Twelve days after placement, the distal tube became dislodged and was endoscopically replaced with hemoclip anchoring in the jejunum. PEG-J tube placement is a safe and effective option for nutritional support in refractory hyperemesis gravidarum.

Management Considerations for Recalcitrant Hyperemesis

Importance

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HEG) affects 0.3% to 3% of pregnancies and requires additional therapies beyond those commonly used for less severe instances of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). Differentiating between NVP and HEG is a vital yet challenging function for any obstetrician. The literature for management of HEG is lacking compared with that of NVP.

Objective

Review etiology of NVP/HEG highlights key considerations in the workup of HEG as they compare to NVP and explore management options for recalcitrant HEG focusing principally on how they affect maternal and fetal outcomes and secondarily on where data are nonprescriptive.

Evidence Acquisition

This was a literature review primarily using PubMed and Google Scholar.

Results

Short-course corticosteroids and treatment for Helicobacter pylori have the most favorable risk-reward profiles of the 4 pharmacologic therapies evaluated. Mirtazapine and diazepam may have a place in highly selected patients. If nutritional supplementation is required, enteral nutrition is strictly preferred to parenteral nutrition. Postpyloric feeding approaches are less likely to induce vomiting. Surgically placed feeding tubes are less likely to be dislodged and may be worth the invasive insertion procedure if nasogastric or nasojejunal tubes are not tolerated.

Conclusions and Relevance

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a diagnosis reserved for refractory cases of NVP and therefore by definition poses treatment challenges. Any clinical presentation that lent itself to prescriptive, algorithmic management would likely fall short of the diagnostic criteria for HEG. However, data can inform management on a patient-by-patient basis or at least help patient and provider understand risks and benefits of therapies reserved for refractory cases.

Direct Percutaneous Endoscopic Jejunostomy for the Management of Gastroparesis in Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Providing meaningful nutrition in cases of refractory hyperemesis during pregnancy can be challenging; although intragastric enteral nutrition is the most common approach, it is contraindicated in certain cases and carries the risk of increased nausea and vomiting.

CASE

A 36-year-old primigravid woman with a history of gastroparesis presented at 16 weeks of gestation with nausea and vomiting. With no improvement with conventional approaches and signs of malnutrition, a direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy was placed. Her nutritional status improved, and the pregnancy ended in the delivery of a healthy neonate.

CONCLUSION

Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy in pregnancy is an option in patients in whom intragastric feeding is contraindicated and may offer a more secure approach than percutaneous gastrojejunostomy.

Treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a systematic review and economic assessment

BACKGROUND

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) affects up to 85% of all women during pregnancy, but for the majority self-management suffices. For the remainder, symptoms are more severe and the most severe form of NVP - hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) - affects 0.3-1.0% of pregnant women. There is no widely accepted point at which NVP becomes HG.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the relative clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of treatments for NVP and HG.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux (CAB) Abstracts, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, British Nursing Index, Science Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index, Scopus, Conference Proceedings Index, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, Health Economic Evaluations Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects were searched from inception to September 2014. References from studies and literature reviews identified were also examined. Obstetric Medicine was hand-searched, as were websites of relevant organisations. Costs came from NHS sources.

REVIEW METHODS

A systematic review of randomised and non-randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for effectiveness, and population-based case series for adverse events and fetal outcomes. Treatments: vitamins B6 and B12, ginger, acupressure/acupuncture, hypnotherapy, antiemetics, dopamine antagonists, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonists, intravenous (i.v.) fluids, corticosteroids, enteral and parenteral feeding or other novel treatment. Two reviewers extracted data and quality assessed studies. Results were narratively synthesised; planned meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity and incomplete reporting. A simple economic evaluation considered the implied values of treatments.

RESULTS

Seventy-three studies (75 reports) met the inclusion criteria. For RCTs, 33 and 11 studies had a low and high risk of bias respectively. For the remainder (n = 20) it was unclear. The non-randomised studies (n = 9) were low quality. There were 33 separate comparators. The most common were acupressure versus placebo (n = 12); steroid versus usual treatment (n = 7); ginger versus placebo (n = 6); ginger versus vitamin B6 (n = 6); and vitamin B6 versus placebo (n = 4). There was evidence that ginger, antihistamines, metoclopramide (mild disease) and vitamin B6 (mild to severe disease) are better than placebo. Diclectin^® [Duchesnay Inc.; doxylamine succinate (10 mg) plus pyridoxine hydrochloride (10 mg) slow release tablet] is more effective than placebo and ondansetron is more effective at reducing nausea than pyridoxine plus doxylamine. Diclectin before symptoms of NVP begin for women at high risk of severe NVP recurrence reduces risk of moderate/severe NVP compared with taking Diclectin once symptoms begin. Promethazine is as, and ondansetron is more, effective than metoclopramide for severe NVP/HG. I.v. fluids help correct dehydration and improve symptoms. Dextrose saline may be more effective at reducing nausea than normal saline. Transdermal clonidine patches may be effective for severe HG. Enteral feeding is effective but extreme method treatment for very severe symptoms. Day case management for moderate/severe symptoms is feasible, acceptable and as effective as inpatient care. For all other interventions and comparisons, evidence is unclear. The economic analysis was limited by lack of effectiveness data, but comparison of costs between treatments highlights the implications of different choices.

LIMITATIONS

The main limitations were the quantity and quality of the data available.

CONCLUSION

There was evidence of some improvement in symptoms for some treatments, but these data may not be transferable across disease severities. Methodologically sound and larger trials of the main therapies considered within the UK NHS are needed.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42013006642.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Over-the-scope-clip system secured nasojejunal tube feeding in refractory hyperemesis gravidarum

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. It complicates up to 2% of all pregnancies and can be associated with adverse outcomes. Its management commonly involves a combination pharmacotherapy, however, the efficacy of such treatment is limited. Supplemental nutrition is often required in refractory cases. Enteral route is preferred over parenteral, given the high rate of intravenous catheter-related complications. Enteral feeding tube placement can be challenging and is commonly thwarted by dislodgement. We present a pharmacotherapy refractory HG case where the over-the-scope-clip (OTSC) system was successfully used for durable mucosal fixation of the nasojejunal feeding tube.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Review of Recent Literature

BACKGROUND

In the United States, hyperemesis gravidarum is the most common cause of hospitalization during the first half of pregnancy and is second only to preterm labor for hospitalizations in pregnancy overall. In approximately 0.3-3% of pregnancies, hyperemesis gravidarum is prevalent and this percentage varies on account of different diagnostic criteria and ethnic variation in study populations. Despite extensive research in this field, the mechanism of the disease is largely unknown. Although cases of mortality are rare, hyperemesis gravidarum has been associated with both maternal and fetal morbidity. The current mainstay of treatment relies heavily on supportive measures until improvement of symptoms as part of the natural course of hyperemesis gravidarum, which occurs with progression of gestational age. However, studies have reported that severe, refractory disease manifestations have led to serious adverse outcomes and to termination of pregnancies.

SUMMARY

Despite extensive research in the field, the pathogenesis of hyperemesis gravidarum remains unknown. Recent literature points to a genetic predisposition in addition to previously studied factors such as infectious, psychiatric, and hormonal contributions. Maternal morbidity is common and includes psychological effects, financial burden, clinical complications from nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal trauma, and in rare cases, neurological damage. The effect of hyperemesis gravidarum on neonatal health is still debated in literature with conflicting results regarding outcomes of birth weight and prematurity. Available therapy options remain largely unchanged in the past several decades and focus on parenteral antiemetic medications, electrolyte repletion, and nutritional support. Most studies of therapeutic options do not consist of randomized control studies and cross-study analysis is difficult due to considerable variation of diagnostic criteria. Key Messages: Hyperemesis gravidarum carries a significant burden on maternal health and US health care. Most published research on pathogenesis is observational and suggests multifactorial associations with hyperemesis gravidarum. Precise, strictly defined criteria for clinical diagnosis are likely to benefit meta-analyses of further research studies regarding pathogenesis as well as therapeutic options.

Interventions for treating hyperemesis gravidarum

BACKGROUND

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy affecting 0.3% to 1.0% of pregnancies, and is one of the most common indications for hospitalization during pregnancy. While a previous Cochrane review examined interventions for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, there has not yet been a review examining the interventions for the more severe condition of hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety, of all interventions for hyperemesis gravidarum in pregnancy up to 20 weeks' gestation.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register and the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field's Trials Register (20 December 2015) and reference lists of retrieved studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials of any intervention for hyperemesis gravidarum. Quasi-randomized trials and trials using a cross-over design were not eligible for inclusion.We excluded trials on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy that were not specifically studying the more severe condition of hyperemesis gravidarum.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently reviewed the eligibility of trials, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias. Data were checked for accuracy.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-five trials (involving 2052 women) met the inclusion criteria but the majority of 18 different comparisons described in the review include data from single studies with small numbers of participants. The comparisons covered a range of interventions including acupressure/acupuncture, outpatient care, intravenous fluids, and various pharmaceutical interventions. The methodological quality of included studies was mixed. For selected important comparisons and outcomes, we graded the quality of the evidence and created 'Summary of findings' tables. For most outcomes the evidence was graded as low or very low quality mainly due to the imprecision of effect estimates. Comparisons included in the 'Summary of findings' tables are described below, the remaining comparisons are described in detail in the main text.No primary outcome data were available when acupuncture was compared with placebo, There was no clear evidence of differences between groups for anxiodepressive symptoms (risk ratio (RR) 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73 to 1.40; one study, 36 women, very low-quality evidence), spontaneous abortion (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.05 to 5.03; one study, 57 women, low-quality evidence), preterm birth (RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01 to 2.26; one study, 36 women, low-quality evidence), or perinatal death (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.04 to 8.30; one study, 36 women, low-quality evidence).There was insufficient evidence to identify clear differences between acupuncture and metoclopramide in a study with 81 participants regarding reduction/cessation in nausea or vomiting (RR 1.40, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.49 and RR 1.51, 95% CI 0.92 to 2.48, respectively; very low-quality evidence).In a study with 92 participants, women taking vitamin B6 had a slightly longer hospital stay compared with placebo (mean difference (MD) 0.80 days, 95% CI 0.08 to 1.52, moderate-quality evidence). There was insufficient evidence to demonstrate a difference in other outcomes including mean number of episodes of emesis (MD 0.50, 95% CI -0.40 to 1.40, low-quality evidence) or side effects.A comparison between metoclopramide and ondansetron identified no clear difference in the severity of nausea or vomiting (MD 1.70, 95% CI -0.15 to 3.55, and MD -0.10, 95% CI -1.63 to 1.43; one study, 83 women, respectively, very low-quality evidence). However, more women taking metoclopramide complained of drowsiness and dry mouth (RR 2.40, 95% CI 1.23 to 4.69, and RR 2.38, 95% CI 1.10 to 5.11, respectively; moderate-quality evidence). There were no clear differences between groups for other side effects.In a single study with 146 participants comparing metoclopramide with promethazine, more women taking promethazine reported drowsiness, dizziness, and dystonia (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.87, RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.69, and RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.90, respectively, moderate-quality evidence). There were no clear differences between groups for other important outcomes including quality of life and other side effects.In a single trial with 30 women, those receiving ondansetron had no difference in duration of hospital admission compared to those receiving promethazine (MD 0.00, 95% CI -1.39 to 1.39, very low-quality evidence), although there was increased sedation with promethazine (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.94, low-quality evidence) .Regarding corticosteroids, in a study with 110 participants there was no difference in days of hospital admission compared to placebo (MD -0.30, 95% CI -0.70 to 0.10; very low-quality evidence), but there was a decreased readmission rate (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.94; four studies, 269 women). For other important outcomes including pregnancy complications, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and congenital abnormalities, there was insufficient evidence to identify differences between groups (very low-quality evidence for all outcomes). In other single studies there were no clear differences between groups for preterm birth or side effects (very low-quality evidence).For hydrocortisone compared with metoclopramide, no data were available for primary outcomes and there was no difference in the readmission rate (RR 0.08, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.28;one study, 40 women).In a study with 80 women, compared to promethazine, those receiving prednisolone had increased nausea at 48 hours (RR 2.00, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.72; low-quality evidence), but not at 17 days (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.15, very low-quality evidence). There was no clear difference in the number of episodes of emesis or subjective improvement in nausea/vomiting. There was insufficient evidence to identify differences between groups for stillbirth and neonatal death and preterm birth.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of this review, there is little high-quality and consistent evidence supporting any one intervention, which should be taken into account when making management decisions. There was also very limited reporting on the economic impact of hyperemesis gravidarum and the impact that interventions may have.The limitations in interpreting the results of the included studies highlights the importance of consistency in the definition of hyperemesis gravidarum, the use of validated outcome measures, and the need for larger placebo-controlled trials.

Vitamin K Deficiency Embryopathy from Hyperemesis Gravidarum

A 21-year-old primigravida had a pregnancy complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) beginning at 7-week gestation. Despite medical therapy, she lost 18% of her prepregnancy weight. Early ultrasound at 14 weeks demonstrated a flattened facial profile with nasal hypoplasia (Binder phenotype) consistent with vitamin K deficiency from HG. She had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy tube placed for enteral feeding at 15-week gestation. At repeated anatomy ultrasound at 21-week gestation, delivery, and postnatal pediatric genetics exam, nasal hypoplasia was consistent with vitamin K deficiency embryopathy from HG. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is a common condition. HG, the most severe form, has many maternal and fetal effects. Evaluation of vitamin K status could potentially prevent this rare and disfiguring embryopathy.

Gastrointestinal and liver disease in pregnancy

This chapter on the gastrointestinal and hepatic systems in pregnancy focusses on those conditions that are frequent and troublesome (gastro-oesophageal reflux and constipation), distressing (hyperemesis gravidarum) or potentially fatal (obstetric cholestasis, acute fatty liver of pregnancy and HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome). It also highlights the clinical challenge obstetricians may face in managing rare conditions such as the Budd-Chiari syndrome, liver transplantation, primary biliary cirrhosis and Wilson disease. The clinical presentation of liver and gastrointestinal dysfunction in pregnancy is not specific, and certain 'abnormalities' may represent physiological changes of pregnancy. Diagnosis and management are often difficult because of atypical symptoms, a reluctance to use invasive investigations and concerns about the teratogenicity of the medications. The best available evidence to manage these conditions is discussed in the chapter.

Sonographic confirmation of the correct placement of a nasoenteral tube in a woman with hyperemesis gravidarum: case report

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a serious systemic disorder of pregnant women characterized by intractable vomiting resulting in metabolic, biochemical, and hematologic changes. Enteral nutrition has been used successfully and has a lower complication rate than parenteral nutrition. Tube feeding requires location of the feeding tube tip before the infusion of nutritional substance is started. We report a case of assisted feeding tube tip location using real time sonography in a pregnant women treated for hyperemesis gravidarum. Sonographic examination may be used as an alternative to x-ray for the confirmation of feeding tube location in pregnant women and thus eliminate exposure of the fetus to ionizing radiation.

Use of Gastrostomy Tube to Prevent Maternal PKU Syndrome

Maternal Phenylketonuria Syndrome (MPKU) can occur in infants born to mothers with PKU with poor metabolic control during pregnancy. Elevated phenylalanine (phe) acts as a teratogen to the developing fetus with consequences including intellectual disability, microcephaly, facial dysmorphism, growth retardation, and congenital heart disease. MPKU can be prevented if metabolic control is achieved by 8-10 weeks gestation. If control is not achieved, there is a significant risk for MPKU. Therefore, in women with poor metabolic control at time of pregnancy, establishing metabolic control quickly is important.Clinically, establishing metabolic control in women with PKU can present challenges. Social issues, psychological issues, and insufficient education about PKU play an important role in a patient's inability to reinstitute this challenging diet. Maintaining phe levels within a range to allow for infant growth, while preventing toxicity, is challenging, particularly for those women who no longer follow the PKU diet. Gastrostomy tube placement is an option to deliver medical formula to women who are unable to restart diet due to severe nausea or palatability issues.Here we discuss two pregnancies in which a gastrostomy tube was placed to achieve metabolic control after other measures failed to reduce phe concentrations into the recommended range. For these two pregnancies, placement of the gastrostomy tube led to improvement in phe levels with normal infant outcomes including normal growth, head circumference, and heart structure.

Risks versus benefits of gastrointestinal endoscopy during pregnancy

Although gastrointestinal endoscopy is generally safe, its safety must be separately analyzed during pregnancy with regard to fetal safety. Fetal risks from endoscopic medications are minimized by avoiding FDA category D drugs, minimizing endoscopic medications, and anesthesiologist attendance at endoscopy. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy seems to be relatively safe for the fetus and may be performed when strongly indicated during pregnancy. Despite limited clinical data, endoscopic banding of esophageal varices and endoscopic hemostasis of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding seems justifiable during pregnancy. Flexible sigmoidoscopy during pregnancy also appears to be relatively safe for the fetus and may be performed when strongly indicated. Colonoscopy may be considered in pregnant patients during the second trimester if there is a strong indication. Data on colonoscopy during the other trimesters are limited. Therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography seems to be relatively safe during pregnancy and should be performed for strong indications (for example, complicated choledocholithiasis). Endoscopic safety precautions during pregnancy include the performance of endoscopy in hospital by an expert endoscopist and only when strongly indicated, deferral of endoscopy to the second trimester whenever possible, and obstetric consultation.

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting are common experiences in pregnancy, affecting 70% to 80% of all pregnant women. Various metabolic and neuromuscular factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), an entity distinct from NVP. However, their exact cause is unknown. Consequently, treatment of NVP and HG can be difficult, as neither the optimal targets for treatment nor the full effects of potential treatments on the developing fetus are known. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, outcomes, and treatment of NVP and HG.

Contemporary approaches to hyperemesis during pregnancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) affects 90% of pregnant women and its impact is often underappreciated. Hyperemesis gravidarum, the most severe end of the spectrum, affects 0.5-2% of pregnancies. The pathogenesis of this condition remains obscure and its management has largely been empirical. This review aims to provide an update on advances in pregnancy hyperemesis focusing on papers published within the past 2 years.

RECENT FINDINGS

The cause of hyperemesis is continuing to be elaborated. Recent data attest to the effectiveness of the oral doxylamine-pyridoxine in NVP. Follow-up data of children exposed in early pregnancy to doxylamine-pyridoxine for NVP are reassuring. Evidence is increasing for ginger as an effective herbal remedy for NVP. Metoclopramide is effective in NVP and hyperemesis gravidarum, with a good balance of efficacy and tolerability. A recent large-scale study on first trimester exposure to metoclopramide is reassuring of its safety. Evidence is emerging for the treatment of acid reflux to ameliorate NVP. The role of corticosteroids for hyperemesis gravidarum remains controversial. Transpyloric feeding may be warranted for persistent weight loss, despite optimal antiemetic therapy.

SUMMARY

Women with significant NVP should be identified so that they can be safely and effectively treated.