Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Complicating Hyperemesis during Pregnancy

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is caused by severe thiamine deficiency; it is mostly observed in alcoholic patients. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman, at 17 weeks of gestational age, with severe hyperemesis gravidarum. She presented with disturbance of consciousness, nystagmus, ophthalmoplegia,...

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Main Authors: Mohamed Adnane Berdai, Smael Labib, Mustapha Harandou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Critical Care
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8783932
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author Mohamed Adnane Berdai
Smael Labib
Mustapha Harandou
author_facet Mohamed Adnane Berdai
Smael Labib
Mustapha Harandou
author_sort Mohamed Adnane Berdai
collection DOAJ
description Wernicke’s encephalopathy is caused by severe thiamine deficiency; it is mostly observed in alcoholic patients. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman, at 17 weeks of gestational age, with severe hyperemesis gravidarum. She presented with disturbance of consciousness, nystagmus, ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia. The resonance magnetic imagery showed bilaterally symmetrical hyperintensities of thalamus and periaqueductal area. The case was managed with very large doses of thiamine. The diagnosis of Wernicke’s encephalopathy was confirmed later by a low thiamine serum level. The patient was discharged home on day 46 with mild ataxia and persistent nystagmus. Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a rare complication of hyperemesis gravidarum. It should be diagnosed as early as possible to prevent long-term neurological sequela or death. Thiamine supplementation in pregnant women with prolonged vomiting should be initiated, especially before parenteral dextrose infusion. Early thiamine replacement will reduce maternal morbidity and fetal loss rate.
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spelling doaj-art-3cde1b3602764b1da1b57ece15cf44c72025-08-20T03:55:39ZengWileyCase Reports in Critical Care2090-64202090-64392016-01-01201610.1155/2016/87839328783932Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Complicating Hyperemesis during PregnancyMohamed Adnane Berdai0Smael Labib1Mustapha Harandou2Department of Obstetric and Pediatric Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital Hassan II, 30070 Fez, MoroccoDepartment of Obstetric and Pediatric Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital Hassan II, 30070 Fez, MoroccoDepartment of Obstetric and Pediatric Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital Hassan II, 30070 Fez, MoroccoWernicke’s encephalopathy is caused by severe thiamine deficiency; it is mostly observed in alcoholic patients. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman, at 17 weeks of gestational age, with severe hyperemesis gravidarum. She presented with disturbance of consciousness, nystagmus, ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia. The resonance magnetic imagery showed bilaterally symmetrical hyperintensities of thalamus and periaqueductal area. The case was managed with very large doses of thiamine. The diagnosis of Wernicke’s encephalopathy was confirmed later by a low thiamine serum level. The patient was discharged home on day 46 with mild ataxia and persistent nystagmus. Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a rare complication of hyperemesis gravidarum. It should be diagnosed as early as possible to prevent long-term neurological sequela or death. Thiamine supplementation in pregnant women with prolonged vomiting should be initiated, especially before parenteral dextrose infusion. Early thiamine replacement will reduce maternal morbidity and fetal loss rate.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8783932
spellingShingle Mohamed Adnane Berdai
Smael Labib
Mustapha Harandou
Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Complicating Hyperemesis during Pregnancy
Case Reports in Critical Care
title Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Complicating Hyperemesis during Pregnancy
title_full Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Complicating Hyperemesis during Pregnancy
title_fullStr Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Complicating Hyperemesis during Pregnancy
title_full_unstemmed Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Complicating Hyperemesis during Pregnancy
title_short Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Complicating Hyperemesis during Pregnancy
title_sort wernicke s encephalopathy complicating hyperemesis during pregnancy
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8783932
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