Vitamin K deficiency in hyperemesis gravidarum as a potential cause of fetal intracranial hemorrhage and hydrocephalus

Abstract

Hyperemesis gravidarum occasionally induces serious maternal complications such as Wernicke's encephalopathy due to vitamin B1 deficiency. Compared with those among infants born to women without hyperemesis, rates of low birth weight and preterm delivery are substantially higher among infants born to women with hyperemesis and low weight gain There is also a report demonstrating that infants born to women with hyperemesis gravidarum are more likely to demonstrate decreased gestational age and increased length of hospital stay Adverse infant outcomes associated with hyperemesis are a consequence of poor maternal weight gain As indicated above, there are several reports describing maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum. However, only limited data are available with regard to fetal complications and/or anomaly in hyperemesis gravidarum.