World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

WERNICKE'S ENCEPHALOPATHY AND PREGNANCY: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON TWO CASES

Dr. Laaboudi Rim*, Dr. Maria Hijji, Dr. Rania Nejjar and Pr. El Youssefi Mounia

ABSTRACT

Gayet-Wernicke encephalopathy is a rare neurological pathology due to a vitamin B1 deficiency. It is mainly encountered in alcoholics but several cases occurring in the context of incoercible gravid vomiting have been published.[1] Its frequency is probably underestimated as many autopsy cases have been described. The diagnosis is clinical with the triad (found in 60% of cases): confusional syndrome, oculomotor disorders and ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging is the imaging test that confirms the diagnosis by the presence of hyper signals most frequently in the periaqueductal, thalami, and mammary bodies.[2] We report here 2 observations of Gayet-Wernicke encephalopathy revealed in a context of vomiting in pregnancy. These 2 cases allow us to appreciate 2 different evolutions of this pathology. In a second part, we review the main publications in the literature. Vomiting in pregnancy is a frequent pathology and can be the cause of serious neurological complications. Early vitamin supplementation must be instituted in severe forms in order to guarantee the continuation of the pregnancy and the maternal well-being.

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