7-days of FREE Audio papers, translation & more with Prime
7-days of FREE Prime access
7-days of FREE Audio papers, translation & more with Prime
7-days of FREE Prime access
https://doi.org/10.70135/seejph.vi.1909
Copy DOIPublication Date: Oct 30, 2024 | |
License type: CC BY-ND 4.0 |
This review article presents a comprehensive discussion on antepartum Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE), a serious neurological disorder. This disorder stems from thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency, which is critical for normal metabolism and neuronal integrity. During pregnancy, women are more susceptible to this condition due to increased nutritional requirement and metabolic changes. In WE, inadequate thiamine (Vitamin B1) causes disruption of metabolism in cells and impedes neurotransmitter synthesis in the brain, ultimately causing adverse neural consequences. Key risk factors contributing to antepartum WE include conditions that hinder thiamine absorption or increase metabolic demand, such as hyperemesis gravidarum (intense antepartum vomiting), malnutrition, alcoholism, and post-bariatric surgery states. WE's classic triad of symptoms, confusion, ataxia (loss of balance and coordination), and ophthalmoplegia (occlumotor incoordination), are not commonly seen in antepartum WE. Therefore, diagnosing the disorder in pregnancy is challenging and the condition is often misdiagnosed. Pregnancy symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and fatigue often overlap with WE's presentation, complicating diagnosis and confounding treatment. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can reveal characteristic lesions in brain areas such as the thalamus and mammillary bodies, these may not always appear in early stages, adding further diagnostic difficulty. Effective management of antepartum WE relies on early recognition and timely administration of high-dose thiamine, particularly parenteral administration for affected pregnant women. Prompt treatment is critical to preventing irreversible sequalae, neurological and otherwise in both the woman and the child. Once acute symptoms are managed, transitioning to oral thiamine supplementation is the norm to prevent recurrence and maintain normal thiamine levels. Balanced diet of macro-nutrients and maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, also plays an essential role in recovery. In severe or treatment-resistant cases, more intensive, prolonged thiamine therapy and regular monitoring of maternal and fetal health are necessary, usually managed by a multidisciplinary medical team. This coordinated care approach aims to prevent recurrence and minimize risks associated with WE. The article emphasizes following clinical guidelines, which recommend regular thiamine monitoring and preventive measures in high-risk pregnancies, to improve maternal and fetal outcomes. By adhering to established protocols, healthcare providers can reduce the likelihood of severe complications associated with WE, ensuring better care and recovery for affected pregnant women. Categories: Pregnancy, Neurology, Nutrition.
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.