Scientists Discover Cause of Morning Sickness
Scientists may have discovered the exact cause of morning sickness, the nausea and vomiting that often accompanies pregnancy — and with the discovery, better treatment options could be on the horizon.
Researchers from the University of Southern California and University of Cambridge found the hormone GDF15 is produced in the placenta and a mother's sensitivity to it determines how severe sickness will be, in research published Wednesday in Nature.
While previous research has linked GDF15 to these symptoms, the latest study shows women who are exposed to lower levels of the hormone before pregnancy experience more severe symptoms.
"We now know that women get sick during pregnancy when they are exposed to higher levels of the hormone GDF15 than they are used to," Marlena Fejzo, a clinical assistant professor of population and public health sciences in the Center for Genetic Epidemiology at the USC's Keck School of Medicine and the paper's first author, said in a news release.
Morning Sickness Cure
While there have been treatments to help the symptoms of morning sickness, this research opens doors to potential avenues for solving the underlying cause.
New Study Offers Hope for Treating Severe Morning Sickness during Pregnancy
According to a recent study, researchers have identified a potential cure for hyperemesis gravidarum, also known as severe morning sickness. The study suggests that lowering the levels of a hormone called GDF15 or exposing the person to GDF15 before pregnancy could help prevent or treat the condition.
Hyperemesis gravidarum affects about 0.3 to 2% of all pregnancies and is characterized by persistent nausea and vomiting. It can lead to weight loss, dehydration, and may require intensive treatment.
Most women experience morning sickness in the first trimester of pregnancy, but a small percentage of women have prolonged symptoms throughout their pregnancy.
A potential cure for severe morning sickness could benefit the 70 to 80% of pregnant individuals who experience morning sickness, regardless of the time of day.
