Breakthrough Study Identifies Cause of Morning Sickness, Offers Hope for Relief
A new study led by the University of Cambridge has identified the hormone GDF15 as the likely source of hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness during pregnancy. The study found that pregnant women who experienced nausea and vomiting had substantially higher levels of GDF15 compared to those with little or no morning sickness. The hope is that this finding will lead to more treatment options for women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, potentially including administering the hormone to high-risk women before pregnancy. Clinical trials are being planned, and the researchers suggest that doubling pre-pregnancy GDF15 levels could reduce the risk of hyperemesis gravidarum by 50%.
