Scientists have discovered the cause of morning sickness, which may lead to better treatment of its symptoms.
According to a study published in the journal Nature, the nausea and vomiting that often define the first trimester of pregnancy are caused primarily by a single hormone. Researchers said the discovery could lead to better treatments for morning sickness, including the rare, life-threatening cases.
The study confirms the results of previous research that pointed to a hormone called GDF15. Researchers have found that the amount of the hormone circulating in a woman's blood during pregnancy, as well as her exposure to it before pregnancy, determines the severity of symptoms.
More than two-thirds of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting in the first trimester. And approximately 2% of women are hospitalized for a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes incessant vomiting and nausea throughout pregnancy. The condition can lead to malnutrition, weight loss and dehydration. It also increases the risk of premature birth, pre-eclampsia and blood clots, threatening the life of the mother and fetus. /BGNES
