Fejzo’s groundbreaking research has debunked the belief that hyperemesis gravidarum is psychosomatic or caused by a hormone that was previously thought to be the culprit. The discovery of the hormone responsible for HG, growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), has paved the way for better treatments and possibly prevention in the future.
HG is a severe form of morning sickness that can lead to dehydration and weight loss in pregnant women. It affects a small percentage of expectant mothers and has been linked to poor outcomes in babies. Current treatments for HG include intravenous fluids, electrolyte supplementation, anti-nausea medications, and sometimes steroids.
Ms. Fejzo’s research has revealed that women with HG may have lower levels of GDF15 in their blood before pregnancy, making them hypersensitive to it when levels rise rapidly during pregnancy. This contradicts the previous belief that another hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), was the cause of HG.
In an interview, Ms. Fejzo emphasized the importance of her findings in the treatment of pregnant women with HG and addressed three myths about the condition: the belief that hCG or psychological stress causes HG, the misconception that severe morning sickness is harmless, and the idea that it only occurs in humans.
Ms. Fejzo is optimistic that her research will lead to improved treatment options for HG. She is currently working as the chief scientific officer of Harmonia Healthcare, a clinic dedicated to treating women with HG and conducting further research and clinical trials in the field. Fejzo is also looking to secure funding for a trial aimed at increasing pre-pregnancy GDF15 levels in high-risk HG patients to desensitize them to the condition, similar to allergen desensitization, as reported by The Epoch Times.
Additionally, she is collaborating with NGM Bio on a phase 2 proof-of-concept study of NGM12, a drug that inhibits GDF15 signaling in HG patients, scheduled to commence by the end of the year. More information can be found on NGM Bio’s website.
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