Background
dehydration, nausea or vomiting, Hyperemesis gravidarum, malnutrition
DEHYDRATION, MALNUTRITION
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) affects about 0.3–3.6% of pregnant women [Nutrition support, consequences of malnutrition and dehydration and the role of oral supplements, fortifying food and dietary measure to achieve nutritional requirements rank amongst top 10 HG research priorities identified by a large study of stakeholders representing patients, carers and multidisciplinary professionals [In women hospitalized for HG, bitter was most likely (32%) and sweet taste least likely (5%) to provoke nausea or vomiting on taste strip testing. On questionnaire response, crunchy sweet uncooked food (apple or watermelon) was best tolerated [We postulate that adding fresh watermelon to the diet of women after their hospitalization for HG as it is agreeable and tolerated, will positively impact on bodyweight driven by better hydration from tolerated intake. The confidence building from watermelon “staying down” after being eaten may encourage the consumption of other food and drink and hasten recovery from HG. We performed a randomized controlled trial to test the hypothesis.