Watermelon and dietary advice compared to dietary advice alone following hospitalization for hyperemesis gravidarum: a randomized controlled trial
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2023
Abstract
Background Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) affects about 2% of pregnancies and is at the severe end of the spectrum of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. HG causes severe maternal distress and results in adverse pregnancy outcomes long after the condition may have dissipated. Although dietary advice is a common tool in management, trial evidence to base the advice on is lacking. Methods A randomized trial was conducted in a university hospital from May 2019 to December 2020. 128 women at their discharge following hospitalization for HG were randomized: 64 to watermelon and 64 to control arm. Women were randomized to consume watermelon and to heed the advice leaflet or to heed the dietary advice leaflet alone. A personal weighing scale and a weighing protocol were provided to all participants to take home. Primary outcomes were bodyweight change at the end of week 1 and week 2 compared to hospital discharge. Results Weight change (kg) at end of week 1, medianinterquartile range] -0.05-0.775 to + 0.50] vs. -0.5-1.4 to + 0.1] P = 0.014 and to the end of week 2, + 0.25-0.65 to + 0.975] vs. -0.5-1.3 to + 0.2] P = 0.001 for watermelon and control arms respectively. After two weeks, HG symptoms assessed by PUQE-24 (Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea over 24 h), appetite assessed by SNAQ (Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire), wellbeing and satisfaction with allocated intervention NRS (0-10 numerical rating scale) scores, and recommendation of allocated intervention to a friend rate were all significantly better in the watermelon arm. However, rehospitalization for HG and antiemetic usage were not significantly different. Conclusion Adding watermelon to the diet after hospital discharge for HG improves bodyweight, HG symptoms, appetite, wellbeing and satisfaction.
Keywords
Hyperemesis gravidarum, Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, Watermelon, Appetite, Maternal satisfaction, Dietary advice
Divisions
obstetrics
Funders
Department of Obstetrics amp; Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya
Publication Title
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Volume
23
Issue
1
Publisher
BioMed Central
Publisher Location
CAMPUS, 4 CRINAN ST, LONDON N1 9XW, ENGLAND