title: Central pontine myelinolysis and pregnancy.
abstract: Central pontine myelinolysis, also known as osmotic demyelination syndrome, is an uncommon disorder associated with rapid correction of severe hyponatremia. We present the case of a healthy young pregnant woman with hyperemesis gravidarum who developed severe hyponatremia (serum sodium 103 mEq/L). After rapid correction of her serum sodium within 12-15 hours with a 0.9% saline solution, the patient became comatose and died of sepsis and respiratory failure. Examination of the brain showed extensive demyelination in both pontine and extrapontine areas.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yaghmai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000628:therapy*; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D011149:Pons / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors