Wernicke's encephalopathy due to hyperemesis gravidarum, a clinical case report

Abstract

Introduction: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a common condition in pregnancy, which can result in potentially lethal complications such as Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE), an acute neurological disorder characterized by a triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and disturbances of mental activity or consciousness, a syndrome that when recognized and treated late can translate into high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Objective: To provide specialists with updated information on hyperemesis gravidarum and the development of potentially fatal consequences such as Wernicke's encephalopathy. Materials and methods: A review of the literature on the subject was carried out in original articles and reviews published in the databases of PubMed, Scielo and Google Scholar, in Spanish and English in the last 5 years, with the keywords pregnancy, hyperemesis, Wernicke's encephalopathy.
Analysis and synthesis of the information: We did not find a defined concept for "Wernicke's encephalopathy in pregnant women", nor a management protocol for this pathology in pregnant women. Results: 12 results were found in Pubmed, 3 in Scielo and 444 in Google Scholar of which 45 were directly related to the topic. Conclusions: The key in the management of this pathology lies in the early identification of signs and symptoms suggestive of encephalopathy, since pregnant patients present characteristics of pregnancy, making them a population at risk of potentially lethal complications. For these reasons, timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce the risk of neurological sequelae that may limit the quality of life or cause death.