The birth weight and gestation at delivery of the two groups were compared against a group of 8,802 consecutive deliveries at the hospital. The mothers' mean ages and mean gestation at delivery were not different among the three groups. This was higher than the rate reported in a similar study population in 1987. 4 Most patients were either pregnant for the first time or had previous pregnancies with an unfavourable outcome. There was one molar pregnancy, one partial mole, and two other patients subsequently had their pregnancies terminated.
Molar pregnancy is very common among southern Chinese women.
Among those patients who continued their pregnancies, the incidence of antenatal complications was not significantly different from the general population. The perinatal outcome was generally satisfactory. 5 Free and total T 4 were determined every two weeks until normalization, then at the end of the second trimester and between 35 weeks and delivery. Again, no difference was shown in a total of 39 consecutive patients with hyperemesis and either normal or abnormal thyroid function. Based on our study findings, therefore, women with hyperemesis gravidarum have a similar incidence of pregnancy complications as the general obstetric population and the perinatal outcome is also satisfactory.