Sudden, unexpected death and Wernicke's encephalopathy: a complication of prolonged intravenous feeding
Harper, C.G.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine 10(2): 230-235
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-8291 PMID: 6770803 Document Number: 162380
Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is thought to be largely confined to alcoholics. However, another "at risk" group of patients has been identified. Three patients on prolonged intravenous feeding died suddenly and unexpectedly from acute WE. Six similar cases from the recent literature are reviewed. Of those 9 patients 6 died as a result of the disease. Neuropathological examinations showed a prominent haemorrhagic component of the acute WE. Six patients did not show any of the classical signs of WE. The need for supplements of thiamin during prolonged intravenous feeding is stressed.