Research overview
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Hypernatremia (serum sodium>160 meq/L) present with diverse neurological manifestations, ranging from flaccid paralysis to impaired cognition, encephalopathy, and even deep coma. Osmotic demyelination refers to changes in brain cells because of an acute change in plasma osmolality. It is further divided into two types, i.e., central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) and extrapontine myelinolysis (EPM). Patients with EPM, besides spasticity, may also present with other movement disorders such as catatonia, parkinsonism, and dystonia. We present a case of a postpartum woman bought to the emergency department by her relatives in an unconscious state. In view of poor sensorium (Glasgow coma scale 2O). She was managed as per the ICU protocol for hypernatremia. During her ICU stay, her sensorium improved, but she developed flaccid paralysis and was quadriplegic. Thus, a tracheostomy was performed, and she was weaned from the ventilator. After ventilator weaning, she was transferred to the ward for further rehabilitation. During rehabilitation, the patient was able to sit and takefoodorally.To date, only a few cases are reported in postpartum women with acute severe hypernatremia caused by high-grade fever and loss of body fluids leading to extra-pontine demyelination and flaccid paralysis. This case highlightsthat prompt recognition and appropriate intervention can improve the outcomes in these patients.
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