Course Summary

Complications of hyperemesis gravidarum in pregnant women can lead to serious maternal and fetal health issues. Maternal and infant health should be monitored closely during pregnancy and after childbirth. A diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum is typically based on patient report of symptoms and after ruling out other causes. Patients should be assessed for psychological symptoms when considering physical complications of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women, such as fluid and electrolyte losses and poor nutrition. More is being raised in the literature about the value of genetic testing in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum to help guide the medical management of symptoms.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• I.              Introduction
• II.           Epidemiology and Diagnosis
  • 1.   Clinical Criteria for Diagnosis
• III.        Pathogenesis and Risk Factors
  • 1.   Gastrointestinal Motility
  • 2.   Evolutionary Adaptation
  • 3.   Genetic Influence
  • 4.   Hormonal Changes
  • 5.   Infection
  • 6.   Nutritional Deficiencies
  • 7.   Psychological Disorders
  • 8.   Risk Factors
• IV.         Clinical Presentation
  • 1.   Managing Signs and Symptoms
• V.            Assessment and Potential Complications
• VI.         Treatment
  • 1.   Non-Pharmacologic Therapies
  • 2.   Pharmacologic Therapies
• VII.       Case Reports: Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy
  • 1.   Case 1: 20-year old Female
  • 2.   Case 2: 40-year-old Female
• VIII.    Summary

Authors

Noah H. Carpenter, MD

Dr. Noah Carpenter is a Thoracic and Peripheral Vascular Surgeon. He completed his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and medical school and training at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Carpenter completed surgical residency and fellowship at the University of Edmonton and Affiliated Hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta, and an additional Adult Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery fellowship at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He has specialized in microsurgical techniques, vascular endoscopy, laser and laparoscopic surgery in Brandon, Manitoba and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and in Colorado, Texas, and California. Dr. Carpenter has an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Calgary, and was appointed a Citizen Ambassador to China, and has served as a member of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, the Canadian College of Health Service Executives, the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories, Canada Science Council, and the International Society of Endovascular Surgeons, among others. He has been an inspiration to youth, motivating them to understand the importance of achieving higher education.