Health Effects of Vitamin B1 Deficiency

Vitamins are essential for the normal functioning of the human body. Vitamins are classified as water soluble (vitamin B and C) and fat soluble (vitamin A, D, E and K).

Vitamin deficiency syndromes occur slowly and are thereby difficult to diagnose. The deficiencies of multiple vitamins occur together rather than a deficiency of a single vitamin.

Deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine) may occur due to inadequate dietary intake or impaired storage and absorption. It may occur both in males as well as females. The condition is usually seen in the elderly age group, in alcoholics and in people living in low socio-economic status. It is also seen in populations who consume more of polished rice. Vitamin B1 deficiency may cause Beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Clinical features

Dry Beriberi – In this, the nervous system is the site of affection. The symptoms include irritability, emotional disturbances, tenderness of the calf muscles, muscular weakness and poly-neuropathy, which is manifested by numbness and tingling of the hands and feet.

Wet Beriberi – In this, the cardiovascular system is affected. Symptoms include palpitations, tachycardia, dyspnoea and oedema. In acute cases, heart failure may also occur.

Infantile Beriberi – This condition is seen in breast fed babies of thiamine deficient mothers. Symptoms include aphonia (inability to speak), absent reflexes and heart failure.

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome – In this condition, brain hemorrhage, mental confusion and aphonia are seen as early manifestations followed by weakness of 6th nerve, coma and death.

Ocular manifestations of thiamine deficiency include loss of corneal sensation and dystrophy of cornea and conjunctiva along with dim vision.

Diagnosis

Lab investigations show elevated blood pyruvate levels and decreased levels of urinary thiamine excretion. Clinical history, physical examination and the clinical tests confirm the diagnosis of thiamine deficiency.

Treatment

The treatment aims at correcting the underlying disorder. Oral doses of thiamine can be given. In severe cases, patient may have to get admit in the hospital but mostly it is treated as out patient case.

Proper dietary guidance and nutritional counseling with emphasis on proper food and their preparation should be given to the patient. Abstinence from alcohol and smoking is a must. Pregnant women must also be given necessary supplementation of iron and folic acid.

With proper diagnosis and effective and adequate therapy, the patient recovers fully without any complications.