Pregnancy is a time of joy and anticipation, but for many women, the experience is marked by a common challenge: morning sickness. While most expectant mothers face this discomfort, some experience severe forms that require hospitalization, and, in extreme cases, can result in serious complications, including loss of life.
The quest to understand the causes of these morning sickness episodes has been a journey spanning years for scientists, who aim to find effective treatments. A study recently published in the journal Nature presents an intriguing discovery: sensitivity to a hormone called GDF15 may be the key to understanding and eventually treating morning sickness.
The Role of GDF15 in Morning Sickness
GDF15, a hormone produced in low quantities by the body, appears in higher concentrations during pregnancy, originating from the growing fetus. The research suggests that women sensitive to this hormone are more prone to developing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Previous studies with cancer patients revealed that excessive levels of GDF15 can lead to chronic nausea and weight loss.
A 2018 study had already identified a connection between the gene that controls GDF15 and morning sickness in more than 53,000 women. The latest study expands on this research, establishing a solid relationship between the hormone and the condition. Using genetic information, data from a new test capable of analyzing hormone levels in the bloodstream of pregnant women, as well as studies with mice and in the lab, researchers unveiled a complex web of factors contributing to morning sickness.
Scientific Findings
The results indicate that GDF15 levels increase in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The higher the production of the hormone by the fetus and the sensitivity of the pregnant woman to it, the more severe the morning sickness. Surprisingly, previous exposure to the hormone can also influence the intensity of morning sickness.
Other findings reveal that women with a hereditary blood condition, who have high levels of GDF15 before pregnancy, rarely suffer from morning sickness. Conversely, those with a rare genetic variant associated with low levels of GDF15 have a significantly higher risk of developing hyperemesis gravidarum, the most severe form of morning sickness.
Studies in mice provide additional insights, showing that exposure to high levels of GDF15 leads to a loss of appetite, indicating that the animals were experiencing nausea. However, when treated with a long-acting form of the hormone, the mice regained their normal appetite.
The Severity of Hyperemesis Gravidarum
While morning sickness is a common experience during pregnancy, about 70% to 80% of pregnant women experience it at some point, hyperemesis gravidarum is a rarer condition, affecting more than 2% of pregnant women. This severe form of morning sickness can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and complications for the baby, such as premature birth, neurological developmental disorders, and even spontaneous abortion.
Dr. Marlena Fejzo, co-author of the study and assistant clinical professor at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, is intimately familiar with the serious impacts of hyperemesis gravidarum. After losing a baby due to this condition, she dedicated herself to understanding its causes and seeking solutions.
Challenges in Research and Awareness
Dr. Fejzo emphasizes the scarcity of significant research on hyperemesis gravidarum, possibly due to the disbelief of some doctors when pregnant patients report their morning sickness. Many women face a lack of medical understanding of the severity of morning sickness, often being discouraged by healthcare professionals who downplay the issue.
The research reveals the urgent need for greater awareness of hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition that goes beyond normal morning sickness. Dr. Fejzo shares stories of women whose doctors dismissed their symptoms, suggesting that “it was all in their heads.” This minimizing attitude can have serious implications for maternal and fetal health.
Current Treatments and Future Perspectives
Currently, treatments for morning sickness include the use of antiemetic medications and vitamin B1. However, a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of morning sickness, whether in the common form or hyperemesis gravidarum, may pave the way for more effective treatments.
Ongoing studies explore ways to prevent hormone-induced stomach discomfort in cancer patients, and Dr. Fejzo suggests the possibility of controlled exposure to the hormone before pregnancy as a way to increase tolerance. She has already submitted a research proposal to investigate appropriate dosages, indicating a possible path for preventive treatments.
Conclusion: A Preliminary Step Toward a Solution
The recent study on the connection between the GDF15 hormone and morning sickness represents a preliminary step toward a more comprehensive understanding of this condition that affects millions of women worldwide. While much remains to be done, the research offers real hope for those facing morning sickness, especially the severe form known as hyperemesis gravidarum.
Source:
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/15/health/cause-of-morning-sickness-wellness/index.html
