Clinical Study Title:
Wernicke's encephalopathy due to hyperemesis gravidarum: an under-recognised condition.

Plain 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.

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.