Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Wernicke Encephalopathy and Korsakoff Syndrome: A Critical Appraisal of the Relevant Literature

Background: Hyperemesis gravidarum tends to rapidly progress into Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome and, therefore, needs to be recognized early and managed promptly with targeted multimodal therapies.

Objective: This study critically reviewed the relevant literature on clinical perspectives of hyperemesis gravidarum, Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome. The secondary objective of this study was to improve the awareness, emphasis on early diagnosis and immediate intervention concerning these sequential syndromes in pregnant women across the board.

Methods: Electronic searches (since inception-2019) of PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, OvidSP, Dove Medical Press, ScienceDomain International (SDI) and Hindawi.com were conducted using keywords and Boolean Operators. Hundreds of thousands articles were retrieved which were reviewed independently by two authors and finally 144 articles retained that addressed clinical components of these sequential syndromes along with relevance of thiamine deficiency.

Results: Evidently, vulnerable women in early stage of gestation tend to develop hyperemesis gravidarum characterized by persistent severe pernicious nausea and vomiting that causes Wernicke encephalopathy defined by variable oculomotor disturbances, ataxia, confusion, metabolic disturbances and Korsakoff syndrome linked with gross memory impairment, confabulation and constipation. The women with these conditions need diagnostic evaluation by means of clinical history, relevant laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound and brain computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Most patients need emergency admission, prompt treatment with optimal doses of antiemetics, vitamin B1, and followed by fluid replenishment and electrolyte balance with follow up till the end of pregnancy. Successful maternal and fetal outcome of pregnancy depends on multiple determinants including associated systemic diseases.

Conclusion: Evidently, a variety of etiological and risk factors in pregnant women determine the initiation of hyperemesis gravidarum that subsequently causes Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome, and each of which needs prompt multimodal treatment in order to reduce maternal morbidity and increase successful outcome of pregnancy. Although clinical literature concerning these sequential syndromes is huge, further studies are needed to understand their underlying pathophysiological pathways across the world.