Hormone secreted by fetus is the culprit behind the nausea and vomiting in pregnant women

A recent study has revealed that a hormone secreted by the fetus is the culprit behind the nausea and vomiting commonly experienced by pregnant women, opening the door to potential treatments for these conditions.

Nausea and vomiting affect up to 70% of pregnant women, with severe cases known as vomiting gravidarum occurring in one to three pregnancies out of every 100, leading to the highest rate of hospitalization in the first trimester.

The study, published in the journal Nature, involved researchers from the University of Cambridge, as well as scientists from Scotland, the United States, and Sri Lanka. They identified the hormone responsible for these symptoms as GDF15, secreted by the fetal part of the placenta.

Analyzing data from various studies, the team found a direct correlation between the severity of nausea and vomiting and the amount of GDF15 in the bloodstream. Genetic factors were also identified, with some women having a higher genetic risk of developing hyperemesis gravidarum, associated with low hormone levels outside of pregnancy.

Interestingly, women with a hereditary blood disorder, beta thalassemia, showed weak or no symptoms despite naturally high levels of GDF15 before pregnancy.

Professor Stephen O'Reilly, co-director of the Wellcome Medical Research Institute for Metabolic Sciences at the University of Cambridge, emphasized that the fetus produces a hormone at levels unfamiliar to the mother, and the sensitivity to this hormone determines the extent of health problems during pregnancy. This discovery provides valuable insights into potential preventive measures.