Abstract

SEQUEIRA LOPES DA SILVA, J. T. et al. Wernicke's encephalopathy induced by total parental nutrition. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2010, vol.25, n.6, pp.1034-1036. ISSN 1699-5198.

Wernicke's encephalopathy is an acute neurological syndrome due to thiamine deficiency, which is characterized by a typical triad of mental status changes, oculomotor dysfunction and ataxia. Despite the fact that Wernicke's encephalopathy, in developed countries, is frequently associated with chronic alcoholism, there have been a number of published cases associating this encephalopathy with parenteral feeding without vitamin supplementation. Diagnosis is primarily a clinical one, and can be supported by laboratory tests and imaging studies; treatment should start as soon as possible, for the morbidity and mortality (almost 20%) associated with this syndrome is high. Thiamine supplementation, along with other vitamins, is recommended for patients in risk of developing this syndrome.

Keywords : Wernicke's encephalopathy; Total parenteral nutrition; Thiamine deficiency.

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