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Case Reports

Gestational diabetes and central pontine myelinolysis with quadriplegia: A case report

, , &
Pages 728-731 | Received 26 May 2009, Accepted 29 Jun 2009, Published online: 27 May 2010
 

Abstract

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) has been reported in women with severe hyperemesis gravidarum-induced hyponatremia followed by rapid correction. Gestational diabetes with adipsia complicated by acute hypernatremia resulting in CPM has never been reported. Here is a case of a disabled female who presented with polydipsia, polyuria, seizures, fetal death in utero, hyperglycemia, and hyper-osmolar hypernatremia on her 31st gestational week. The dead fetus was delivered and the patient's plasma glucose and sodium were later stabilized. When the patient developed quadriplegia and respiratory failure 5 days later, brain magnetic resonance imaging showed central pontine and extra-pontine myelinolysis. Gestational diabetes complicated by hyper-osmolar crisis may cause fetal death and severe neurologic sequela. Early recognition and delivery of the fetus and placenta may improve the electrolyte and fluid imbalance.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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