Cambridge-Led Study Reveals Potential Treatment to Alleviate Pregnancy Sickness

A potential solution for severe pregnancy-related nausea leading to hospitalization emerges in the form of the GDF15 hormone, as revealed by a recent study shedding light on the previously mysterious phenomenon.

Enhancing Mothers' Exposure to GDF15

A new study led by Cambridge University suggests that enhancing mothers' exposure to GDF15 before pregnancy may offer a potential remedy for pregnancy sickness. The research was conducted with data from participants, including those from Rosie Maternity Hospital and Peterborough City Hospital.

Interesting Engineering reported that this research utilized various approaches, including human genetics, advanced hormone measurements, and experiments with cells and mice.

The findings established a direct correlation between the severity of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting and the levels of GDF15 produced by the fetal portion of the placenta. Furthermore, the study underscored that a woman's susceptibility to the hormone's nauseating effects is influenced by her pre-pregnancy exposure to it.

The study further identified that certain women possess a unique genetic variation that increases the likelihood of experiencing a challenging pregnancy marked by extensive nausea and vomiting.

In the initial trimester, nausea and vomiting are prevalent symptoms experienced by up to 70 percent of expectant mothers. However, for an alarming one to three women in every 100 pregnancies, these symptoms can escalate to life-threatening risks for both the unborn child and the mother-to-be.

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) stands out as one of the leading causes prompting the hospitalization of pregnant women, characterized by uncontrollable vomiting leading to weight loss and volume depletion.

For some individuals grappling with HG, a slight gene variation appears to disrupt the normal functioning of GDF15, a hormone known as Growth and Differentiation Factor 15.

Produced by the placenta, GDF15 surges in the early stages of pregnancy, potentially leading to an excessive production or heightened sensitivity to the hormone. Additionally, GDF15 influences the pregnant woman's brain, triggering feelings of nausea and inducing vomiting.

Studying Pregnant Participants

In these individuals, the concentration of GDF15 is lower in their blood and body tissues when not pregnant. Conversely, women diagnosed with the blood disorder beta-thalassemia exhibit elevated GDF15 levels even before pregnancy, resulting in a reduced tendency to experience nausea or vomiting during gestation.

As indicated in its press release, experiencing a certain level of nausea and vomiting is commonly regarded as a normal part of early pregnancy, often leading many medical professionals to minimize the concerns expressed by pregnant women.

Dr. Marlena Fejzo, a co-author of the study, had a firsthand encounter with the condition during her pregnancy, where she faced severe illness, struggling to move without being sick. Her quest to understand the condition revealed a notable lack of knowledge about it, despite pregnancy-related nausea being a prevalent occurrence.

The study aims to contribute to the development of effective treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum, offering hope to countless mothers who have faced similar challenges. The research findings were officially published in the journal Nature on December 13.