The Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the Stools of Pregnant Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the role of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) by detecting HP immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in serum and HP antigen in stool.
METHODS: Pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 35 and between 6 and 18 weeks of gestation who applied to the obstetrics clinic between January and December 2022 were included in the study. While pregnant women with HG were considered in the HG group, those without HG were considered in the control group. The sociodemographic and obstetrics characteristics and laboratory results of the participants were evaluated and compared between the groups. Anti-HP IgG screening was performed in serum, and the fecal HP antigen test was applied to stool samples.
RESULTS: A total of 60 pregnant women, 30 (50.0%) in the HG group and 30 (50.0%) in the control group, were included in the study. While stool HP antigen positivity was found in 20 (66.7%) pregnant in the HG group, it was detected in 10 (33.3%) pregnant in the control group (p=0.010). However, serum HP IgG antibody positivity was in 22 (73.3%) pregnant in the HG group and 17 (56.7%) pregnant in the control group (p=0.176).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The HP stool antigen test may be employed at diagnosis because it is non-invasive, exhibits high specificity and sensitivity, and is economical and also an active infection marker. Further studies with larger studies are now essential to elucidate this subject.