OBJECTIVE: The vestibular system is a major pathway to nausea and vomiting, and the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) is a central component; its function can be studied using the vestibular autorotation test (VAT). We hypothesize that women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) may have VOR abnormalities. STUDY DESIGN: Women with HG were compared with women without HG using the VAT. Horizontal and vertical VOR gains and phases were evaluated at 3 frequency ranges: low (2.0 to 3.5 Hz), medium (greater than 3.5 to 5.0 Hz), and high (greater than 5.0 to 6.0 Hz) during pregnancy and postpartum. RESULTS: Twenty women with HG and 48 unaffected women were evaluated in early pregnancy. Women with HG had higher horizontal gains at all 3 frequency ranges. Horizontal phase differences were also observed at medium frequencies. No VAT differences were noted postpartum. CONCLUSION: Women experiencing HG had a higher mean VOR horizontal gain and lower horizontal phase when compared with unaffected women.
OBJECTIVE: The vestibular system is a major pathway to nausea and vomiting, and the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) is a central component; its function can be studied using the vestibular autorotation test (VAT). We hypothesize that women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) may have VOR abnormalities. STUDY DESIGN:Women with HG were compared with women without HG using the VAT. Horizontal and vertical VOR gains and phases were evaluated at 3 frequency ranges: low (2.0 to 3.5 Hz), medium (greater than 3.5 to 5.0 Hz), and high (greater than 5.0 to 6.0 Hz) during pregnancy and postpartum. RESULTS: Twenty women with HG and 48 unaffected women were evaluated in early pregnancy. Women with HG had higher horizontal gains at all 3 frequency ranges. Horizontal phase differences were also observed at medium frequencies. No VAT differences were noted postpartum. CONCLUSION:Women experiencing HG had a higher mean VOR horizontal gain and lower horizontal phase when compared with unaffected women.
Authors: Marlena S Fejzo; Chunyu Ching; Frederic P Schoenberg; Kimber Macgibbon; Roberto Romero; T Murphy Goodwin; Patrick M Mullin Journal: J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med Date: 2011-11-24
Authors: Lina M D'Orazio; Beth E Meyerowitz; Lisa M Korst; Roberto Romero; Thomas M Goodwin Journal: J Womens Health (Larchmt) Date: 2010-12-31 Impact factor: 2.681