Fetal Hormone GDF15 Identified as Cause of Morning Sickness

Discovery opens potential for new treatments, offering hope to those suffering from severe form, hyperemesis gravidarum.

Scientists have discovered that the hormone GDF15, produced by the fetus during pregnancy, is responsible for morning sickness and its severe form, hyperemesis gravidarum.
The severity of morning sickness is linked to the amount of GDF15 in the mother's blood before and during pregnancy.
Women with naturally low levels of GDF15 before pregnancy are more sensitive to increases of GDF15 during the first trimester, leading to more severe symptoms.
Potential treatments could involve raising GDF15 levels in women with low levels before pregnancy or reducing GDF15 levels in women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum.
Hyperemesis gravidarum, experienced by 1-3% of women, can be life-threatening and is the most common cause of hospital admission in the first trimester of pregnancy.