BACKGROUND: We studied the incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) in comparison with non-HG pregnant women, and investigated whether there was a correlation between positive serology for H. pylori IgG, the time of onset, and the duration of HG symptoms. MATERIAL/METHODS: 54 pregnant women with HG were enrolled in a matched case - control study. For each case in the group, a pregnant woman without HG matched for age, parity and gestational age was selected as a control. The patients in the experimental group were asked the exact time of symptom onset, and both groups were monitored during pregnancy for symptoms and outcome. Serum H. pylori IgG antibody was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Positive serum H. pylori IgG antibody was detected in 88.9% of the patients in the experimental group vs. 40.7% of the controls (P<0.001). Three of the four patients with abortions in each group were seropositive. Age, parity, level of education, symptom onset, and duration and outcome of pregnancy were comparable in both seropositive and seronegative patients with HG. CONCLUSIONS: Although more patients with HG were seropositive for H. pylori infection than controls, we were not able to demonstrate correlation between seropositivity for H. pylori and the time of onset or duration of HG symptoms. Although H. pylori infection may be an important factor in exacerbating HG, it may not represent the sole cause of the disease.

Keywords: Helicobacter Infections - blood, Hyperemesis Gravidarum - microbiology