articleNatureDec 13, 2023HYBRID OA

GDF15 linked to maternal risk of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

MSMarlena S. FejzoNRNuno RochaICIrène CiminoSLSam LockhartCJClive J. Petry

University of Southern California · University of Cambridge · +15 more institutions

PubMed
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Abstract

Abstract GDF15, a hormone acting on the brainstem, has been implicated in the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, including its most severe form, hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), but a full mechanistic understanding is lacking 1–4 . Here we report that fetal production of GDF15 and maternal sensitivity to it both contribute substantially to the risk of HG. We confirmed that higher GDF15 levels in maternal blood are associated with vomiting in pregnancy and HG. Using mass spectrometry to detect a naturally labelled GDF15 variant, we demonstrate that the vast majority of GDF15 in the maternal plasma is derived from the feto-placental unit. By studying carriers of rare and common genetic variants, we found that low…

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Topics & keywords

Topics
Keywords
  • GDF15
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Pregnancy
  • Medicine
  • Bolus (digestion)
  • Obstetrics
  • Internal medicine
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Good health and well-being
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