Two cases of Wernicke's encephalopathy in children: an underdiagnosed complication of poor nutrition.
We describe the occurrence of Wernicke's encephalopathy in two children in whom the diagnosis was not suspected during life. Postmortem examination showed changes characteristic of the disease. This preventable and treatable condition is probably underdiagnosed in poorly nourished, nonalcoholic patients of all ages.
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008326:Mammillary Bodies / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000473:pathology*; D013832:Thiamine Deficiency / Q000473:pathology; D014899:Wernicke Encephalopathy / Q000473:pathology*