Thiamine deficiency related peripheral neuropathy in peripartum women of Kashmir, India: a hospital based study

Sheikh Hilal Ahmad; S. Bashir Ahmad; Asma Jan

doi:10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20191498

Authors

Sheikh Hilal Ahmad Department of Neurology, Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
S. Bashir Ahmad Department of Neurology, Super Speciality Hospital, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Asma Jan Dietician, Khyber Medical Institute, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20191498

Keywords:

Beri Beri, Neuropathy, Peripartum, Pregnancy, Thiamine deficiency

Abstract

Background: Beri Beri is still seen in Asian countries due to the large-scale consumption of thiamine depleted polished rice. Thiamine deficiency related disorders are increasingly being reported from Kashmir from last two decades. Specifically, a sensorimotor axonal neuropathy occasionally develops from thiamine deficiency and may occur even without associated Wernicke’s encephalopathy.

Methods: This study is a retrospective observational study. All peripartum females referred to our departments from January 2016 to December 2017 with complaints of generalized weakness and or sensory symptoms in form of paresthesias /numbness in limbs were enrolled. Clinical features, electrophysiological features, course in hospital and response to treatment in suspected thiamine deficiency related neuropathy patients were recorded.

Results: Forty-three cases were included in the study. Twenty-nine patients were suspected to have nutritional neuropathy because of thiamine deficiency at the time of admission. Out of these 27 showed improvement on treatment with thiamine.

Conclusions: Thiamine responsive neuropathy is common in peripartum women of this part of world. Diagnosis is usually made clinically, in at risk individuals presenting with characteristic clinical features.

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