Intermittent Intestinal Obstruction Simulating Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Intestinal obstruction was diagnosed during the early puerperium of a primigravida who had been admitted thrice during her pregnancy for “hyperemesis gravidarum.” Data from this case history and from those of 25 other pregnant women hospitalized for vomiting were reviewed, and differences which might have alerted physicians to an earlier and correct diagnosis were noted. These case reviews also revealed that the presence of pregnancy often deters physicians from eliciting complete historic and physical data pertinent to the gastrointestinal tract.