Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a severe form of pregnancy sickness characterized by excessive nausea and vomiting, affects between 1 and 3 out of every 100 pregnant women, according to the UK’s National Health Service.
HG symptoms, including significant weight loss, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances, can profoundly affect quality of life. Past research indicates an association between HG and increased anxiety and depression, but studies were often limited by small or localized samples.
Large-Scale Multinational Study on HG Mental Health Outcomes
A recent September 2025 study published in The Lancet by Hamilton Morrin and colleagues expands understanding by analyzing a large multinational clinical dataset. The research investigated 24 neuropsychiatric, metabolic, and mental health outcomes within one year following an HG diagnosis. This extensive analysis demonstrated significant risks in 18 of the 24 outcomes studied.
Key Findings: Elevated Risks from HG
The study leveraged data from the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network, encompassing electronic healthcare records from over 150 million patients across 140 healthcare organizations in 18 high- and middle-income countries. Women diagnosed with HG from January 2010 to April 2025 were compared against pregnant women without HG diagnosed in the same period.
Among the 476,857 women with HG analyzed (matched with an equal number of controls), HG was associated with:
- 2.7 times higher risk of postpartum depression
- 2.06 times higher risk of eating disorders
- 2.5 times higher risk of refeeding syndrome
- 2.3 times higher risk of Wernicke’s encephalopathy
- 2.03 times higher risk of general depression
- 2.23 times higher chance of being prescribed antipsychotics
Implications for Patient Care
These findings underscore the substantial impact of HG on both metabolic and mental health. Women suffering from HG require comprehensive care covering physical symptoms and mental health vulnerabilities. Early recognition and multidisciplinary support can mitigate the elevated risks of postpartum depression, eating disorders, and other adverse health outcomes.
Public Health and Future Trends
GlobalData epidemiologists project the prevalence of anorexia nervosa in women over 18 within major markets — including the US, UK, China, India, and others — will rise from 22.5 million cases in 2025 to 24 million cases by 2034. This trend emphasizes the growing need to address eating disorders linked to pregnancy complications like HG.
Recognizing severe pregnancy sickness as a critical factor in postpartum mental health challenges can drive improved screening, intervention, and holistic care strategies for pregnant women worldwide.
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