Thiamine : Brain Disorder
Clinical Study Title:
Wernicke's encephalopathy due to hyperemesis gravidarum: an under-recognised
condition.
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English Summary: |
Wernicke’s
area is a part of the brain that is responsible for
certain verbal comprehension abilities. A case study
was done of a 25 year old woman who was admitted to
an obsetrics specialty clinic to treat hyperemesis
gravidarum. About 6 weeks after admission, she developed
severed drowsiness, ataxia, and areflexia, and nystagmus.
Several tests were run and she was found to have abnormal
activity in certain parts of her brain, and she fit
clinical criteria for Wernicke’s encephalopathy, which
is swelling of the part of the brain known as Wernicke’s
area. She was given supplements of thiamine, and after
3 days, her symptoms cleared up and the swelling went
down. Further research into other cases of women with
hyperemsis gravidarum found that thiamine also managed
to cure the Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Pregnant women
with this condition then are advised to take thiamine
supplements to help prevent this disorder. |
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Authors:
Togay-Isikay C. Yigit A. Mutluer N.
Institution:
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ankara,
Turkey.
Country of Publication:
Australia
Source:
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
41(4):453-6, 2001 Nov.
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