OBJECTIVE

To compare serum cytokine levels in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum with levels in healthy pregnant and nonpregnant women.

METHODS

Case-control study.

METHODS

Clinical and academic research center.

METHODS

Thirty women with hyperemesis gravidarum, 30 healthy women in the first trimester of pregnancy, and 30 healthy nonpregnant women.

METHODS

Serum levels of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-2 receptor, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha.

RESULTS

Median serum levels of interleukin-2 receptor and interleukin-8 did not differ significantly among the three groups. Serum levels of interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 were significantly higher in healthy pregnant women than in healthy nonpregnant women. Median TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in women with hyperemesis (25.8 pg/mL [range, 4.9-140 pg/mL]) than in healthy pregnant and nonpregnant women (10.85 pg/mL [range, 4.1-35.8 pg/mL] and 12 pg/mL [4.3-68.2 pg/mL], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of TNF-alpha were significantly higher in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum than in healthy pregnant and nonpregnant women. Thus, TNF-alpha may be involved in the etiology of hyperemesis gravidarum.