FÖSSLEITNER Philipp

Previous University and Subject: Medical University of Vienna / Human Medicine; Vienna University of Economics & Business / Business & Economics

Thesis since: 04/2019

Chewing Gum Containing Vitamin C to Treat Emesis gravidarum: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Emesis gravidarum is a frequent complication during early pregnancy that occurs in 70–80% of all pregnant women. The exact etiology of emesis gravidarum is however unknown. One theory is that high maternal histamine concentrations in early pregnancy may be the cause of nausea and vomiting. In this context, vitamin C has been associated with low blood histamine levels. Apart from that, chewing gum has been described to successfully treat nausea and vomiting. The aim of this project is to test the hypothesis that the intake of a chewing gum that contains vitamin C has the potential to reduce nausea and vomiting in women suffering from emesis gravidarum. To test this hypothesis, we will compare 3 groups of pregnant women with emesis gravidarum during early pregnancy: (1) women with emesis gravidarum who take chewing gums containing vitamin C, (2) women with emesis gravidarum who take chewing gums without vitamin C, and (3) women with emesis gravidarum without any treatment during the study period. The effect of the treatment will be evaluated at 3 defined time points during pregnancy by using a validated questionnaire, the modified PUQE-score, in order to quantify the condition of the patient and by measuring the blood levels of histamine and the histaminedegrading enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO). Furthermore, maternal characteristics will be collected and the pregnancy outcome will be assessed in order to evaluate any influence of the vitamin C containing chewing gum on the pregnancy outcome.

Methods and Skills:

Clinical studies

Publications:

Foessleitner P, Just U, Kiss H, Farr A. Challenge of diagnosing pyoderma gangrenosum after caesarean section. BMJ Case Rep 12: e230315, 2019

Foessleitner P, Gasser J, Kiss H, Flunt A, Presterl E, Petricevic L, Farr A. Vaginal colonization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria during pregnancy: An observational study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 246: 86-89, 2020