A 60-year-old woman on ICU is receiving total parenteral nutrition via a central line. She develops Wernicke's encephalopathy (confusion, ophthalmople...

Question

A 60-year-old woman on ICU is receiving total parenteral nutrition via a central line. She develops Wernicke's encephalopathy (confusion, ophthalmoplegia, ataxia). What vitamin deficiency causes this and what is the treatment?

Accepted Answer

Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency - treat with urgent IV Pabrinex (thiamine 250 mg TDS for 3-5 days)

Answer

Vitamin B12 deficiency - treat with IM hydroxocobalamin

Answer

Folate deficiency - treat with oral folic acid

Answer

Vitamin C deficiency - treat with IV ascorbic acid

Answer

Vitamin D deficiency - treat with oral cholecalciferol

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Wernicke's Encephalopathy

A 60-year-old woman on ICU is receiving total parenteral nutrition via a central line. She develops Wernicke's encephalopathy (confusion, ophthalmoplegia, ataxia). What vitamin deficiency causes this and what is the treatment?