TY - JOUR AB - Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) refers to severe nausea and emesis noted during pregnancy. However, no consensus exists on the specific diagnostic criteria that can be used for this condition. The aim of the present systematic review was to summarize the available evidence regarding the severe complications observed during HG with a heightened risk of fatality. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and WILEY databases for the relevant publications regarding the severe and life‑threatening complications of HG. The search terms were as follows: ‘(Hyperemesis gravidarum)’ AND (‘complications’ OR ‘severe’ OR ‘adverse pregnancy outcomes’ OR ‘stroke’ OR ‘seizures’ OR ‘Wernicke's encephalopathy’ OR ‘arrhythmias’ OR ‘pneumomediastinum’ OR ‘coagulopathy’ OR ‘electrolytic imbalance’). Abstracts, conference presentations, letters to the editor, studies written in languages other than English and editorials were all excluded. This search identified 43 studies analyzing life‑threatening complications of HG, of which 11, seven, eight and 17 articles analyzed neurological, cardiovascular, thoracic and systemic complications, respectively. Reports on life‑threatening complications were exceptionally rare in HG. The most frequent severe complications noted were Wernicke's encephalopathy, electrolyte imbalance and vitamin K deficiency. The low mortality rate for patients with HG over the last decade could be explained by the high efficiency of modern therapy, and the precise management of every complication according to current guidelines. AD - Second Medical Department, ‘Iuliu Hatieganu’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj‑Napoca, Cluj‑Napoca 400000, Romania Department of Occupational Health, ‘Iuliu Hatieganu’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj‑Napoca, Cluj‑Napoca 400000, Romania Department of Surgery, ‘Iuliu Hatieganu’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj‑Napoca, Cluj‑Napoca 400000, Romania Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, ‘Iuliu Hatieganu’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj‑Napoca, Cluj‑Napoca 400349, Romania Department of Cardiology, ‘Emile Muller’ Hospital, Mulhouse, 68200 Mulhouse, France Department of Neurology, ‘Iuliu Hatieganu’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj‑Napoca, Cluj‑Napoca 400012, Romania AU - Popa,Stefan,L. AU - Barsan,Maria AU - Caziuc,Alexandra AU - Pop,Cristina AU - Muresan,Lucian AU - Popa,Luminita,Celia AU - Perju‑Dumbrava,Lacramioara DA - 2021/06/01 DO - 10.3892/etm.2021.10074 IS - 6 JO - Exp Ther Med KW - hyperemesis gravidarum complications adverse pregnancy outcomes electrolyte disturbances death life threatening management PY - 2021 SN - 1792-0981 1792-1015 SP - 642 ST - Life‑threatening complications of hyperemesis gravidarum T2 - Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine TI - Life‑threatening complications of hyperemesis gravidarum UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.10074 VL - 21 ER -