Abstract
Background: To compare the efficacy of short course of
steroid with dimenhydrinate (antihistamine) in the
treatment of intractable hyperemesis gravidarum.
Methods: In this descriptive study fifty patients were
assigned to receive intravenous hydrocortisone 100 mg
eight hourly as a daily dose for three days.Subsequently,
oral prednisolone 45 mg which was tapered off in 5 days.
Fifty patients were given intravenous dimenhydrinate 50
mg 3 times daily for 3 days, followed by oral tablets of
50mg three times a day for 5 days . Patients were followed
up daily during the therapy course and for 2 wks
following discharge .
Results: There was a significant reduction in vomiting
episodes in the hydrocortisone group compared with the
dimenhydrinate group (p < .0001). None of the patient
from the hydrocortisone group but eight of the patients
receiving dimenhydrinate were readmitted for intractable
vomiting within 1 wk after discharge. .
Conclusion: Short corticosteroids’ course is an effective
treatment for intractable hyperemesis gravidarum.