Wernicke's encephalopathy: An uncommon complication from hyperemesis gravidarum

Roshan Shah; Isabelle Malhamé; Mariam Fayek; Alisa Merolli; Niharika Mehta

doi:10.1177/1753495X18811515

Wernicke's encephalopathy: An uncommon complication from hyperemesis gravidarum

Obstet Med. 2020 Dec;13(4):198-200. doi: 10.1177/1753495X18811515. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Authors

Roshan Shah¹, Isabelle Malhamé¹, Mariam Fayek¹, Alisa Merolli², Niharika Mehta¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, USA.
² Department of Medicine, Kent Hospital, Warwick, USA.

Abstract

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a complication of pregnancy associated with severe nausea and vomiting that can lead to fluid-electrolyte imbalances and nutritional deficiencies. Wernicke's encephalopathy is a neurologic manifestation of acute thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. We describe a case of hyperemesis gravidarum presenting with gait ataxia and nystagmus which led to a diagnosis of Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Keywords: Gastroenterology; Wernicke's encephalopathy; hyperemesis gravidarum; nutrition.

Publication types

Case Reports