Hyperemesis Gravidarum Workup: Laboratory Studies, Imaging Studies

Sections

Workup

Laboratory Studies

Initial laboratory studies for hyperemesis gravidarum should include the following:

Urinalysis for ketones and specific gravity: A sign of starvation, ketones may be harmful to fetal development. High specific gravity occurs with volume depletion.
Serum electrolytes and ketones: Assess electrolyte status to evaluate for low potassium or sodium, identify hyperchloremic metabolic alkalosis or acidosis, and evaluate renal function and volume status.
Liver enzymes and bilirubin: Elevated transaminase levels may occur in as many as 50% of patients with hyperemesis gravidarum. Mild transaminitis often resolves once the nausea has resolved. Significantly elevated liver enzymes, however, may be a sign of another underlying liver condition, such as hepatitis (viral, ischemic, autoimmune), or some other etiology of liver injury.^[2]
Amylase/lipase: Amylase level is elevated in approximately 10% of patients with hyperemesis gravidarum. Lipase, when combined with amylase, can increase the specificity in diagnosing pancreatitis as an etiology.
TSH, free thyroxine: Hyperemesis gravidarum is often associated with a transient hyperthyroidism and suppressed TSH levels in 50-60% of cases. However, an elevated free thyroxine may suggest that overt hyperthyroidism is present, thus necessitating further workup and treatment.^[3]
Urine culture: This may be indicated because urinary tract infection is common in pregnancy and can be associated with nausea and vomiting.
Calcium level: Consider measuring Ca⁺⁺ levels. Some rare cases have been reported of hypercalcemia being associated with hyperemesis gravidarum, resulting from hyperparathyroidism.
Hematocrit: This may be elevated because of volume contraction.
Hepatitis panel: If clinically indicated, hepatitis A, B, or C may be confused with hyperemesis gravidarum.^[1]

Ultrasonography

Obstetric ultrasonography is usually warranted in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum to evaluate for multiple gestations or trophoblastic disease.

Additional imaging studies generally are not needed unless the clinical presentation is atypical (eg, nausea and/or vomiting beginning after 9-10 wk of gestation, nausea and/or vomiting persisting after 20-22 wk, acute severe exacerbation) or another disorder is suggested based on history or physical examination findings.

If indicated clinically, performing upper abdominal ultrasonography to evaluate the pancreas and/or biliary tree appears to be a low-risk study.

Other imaging modalities

In patients with abdominal pain or upper gastrointestinal bleeding, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy appears to be safe in pregnancy, although careful monitoring is suggested.

In rare cases, abdominal computed tomography (CT) scanning or even magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be indicated if appendicitis is under consideration as a cause of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

Treatment & Management

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Author

Dotun A Ogunyemi, MD Vice Chair of Patient Safety and Quality, William Beaumont Hospital; Professor, Oakland University, William Beaumont School of Medicine; Clinical Services Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Dotun A Ogunyemi, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Medical Association, National Medical Association, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Alex Fong, MD Staff Physician, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Alex Fong, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Tiffany Chen Herrero, MD Resident Physician, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Richard S Legro, MD Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Milton S Hershey Medical Center

Richard S Legro, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Society of Reproductive Surgeons, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Endocrine Society, Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Received honoraria from Korea National Institute of Health and National Institute of Health (Bethesda, MD) for speaking and teaching; Received honoraria from Greater Toronto Area Reproductive Medicine Society (Toronto, ON, CA) for speaking and teaching; Received honoraria from American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (Washington, DC) for speaking and teaching; Received honoraria from National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Research Thi.

Chief Editor

Christine Isaacs, MD Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Head, General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Director of Midwifery Services, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Christine Isaacs, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Suzanne R Trupin, MD, FACOG Clinical Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign; CEO and Owner, Women's Health Practice; CEO and Owner, Hada Cosmetic Medicine and Midwest Surgical Center

Suzanne R Trupin, MD, FACOG is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, International Society for Clinical Densitometry, AAGL, North American Menopause Society, American Medical Association, Association of Reproductive Health Professionals

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

The authors and editors of Medscape Drugs & Diseases gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Giulia A Michelini, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

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