Central pontine myelinolysis and pregnancy.

Central pontine myelinolysis, also known as osmotic demyelination syndrome, is an uncommon disorder associated with rapid correction of severe hyponatremia. We present the case of a healthy young pregnant woman with hyperemesis gravidarum who developed severe hyponatremia (serum sodium 103 mEq/L). After rapid correction of her serum sodium within 12-15 hours with a 0.9% saline solution, the patient became comatose and died of sepsis and respiratory failure. Examination of the brain showed extensive demyelination in both pontine and extrapontine areas.