ABSTRACT
Wernicke’s encephalopathy Wernicke’s encephalopathy due to vitamin B1 (thiamine) deciency is a potentially fatal but reversible medical emergency. In the context of HG, it is also totally preventable. Clinical features include:
hyporeexia/areexia, gait and/or nger nose ataxia. ■ Wernicke’s encephalopathy may be precipitated by intravenous (i.v.) uids contain-
ing dextrose. ■ There is an increased incidence of abnormal liver function tests in women with HG
complicated by Wernicke’s encephalopathy compared to the incidence in hyperemesis in general. As in alcoholics, the abnormal functioning liver may participate in the development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy by decreased conversion of thiamine to its active metabolite thiamine pyrophosphate and by a decreased capacity to store thiamine.
