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

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2010 Jul;23(7):728-31. doi: 10.1080/14767050903156692.

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes, Gestational / diagnosis
  • Diabetes, Gestational / pathology
  • Disabled Persons
  • Female
  • Fetal Death / diagnosis
  • Fetal Death / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypernatremia / complications*
  • Hypernatremia / diagnosis
  • Myelinolysis, Central Pontine / diagnosis
  • Myelinolysis, Central Pontine / etiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications / therapy
  • Quadriplegia / diagnosis
  • Quadriplegia / etiology*
  • Seizures / complications
  • Seizures / diagnosis
  • Young Adult