Irish Examiner view: A step forward for women’s health

Known scientifically as hyperemesis gravidarum, morning sickness can result in vomiting, dehydration, and weight loss, all of which are dangerous at any time, but particularly so during pregnancy.

A welcome breakthrough in the treatment of morning sickness in pregnant women was announced this week by a research team which includes a prominent Irish scientist.

Stephen O’Rahilly, director of the Medical Research Council metabolic diseases unit at the University of Cambridge, said at the announcement: “Most women who become pregnant will experience nausea and sickness at some point, and while this is not pleasant, for some women it can be much worse — they’ll become so sick they require treatment and even hospitalisation.