Beriberi

Alternative names:

thiamine deficiency; vitamin B1 deficiency

Symptoms:

Early symptoms:

• irritability
• fatigue
• restlessness
• decreased appetite

Later symptoms:

• complaints of tingling or burning in the extremities
• numbness in the extremities
• shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• bluish coloration to the skin (cyanosis)
• decreased mental ability
• unusual behavior
• seizures
• loss of consciousness

Signs and tests:

Physical examination may show signs of congestive heart failure, including difficulty breathing, bluish skin (cyanosis), and others. The person with late-stage beriberi may be confused or psychotic. Neurological examination shows a loss of vibratory sensation (the person is less able to sense vibration), loss of coordination, gait changes (ataxia), and other changes. The liver may be enlarged (hepatomegaly).

Tests include:

• ECG (to rule out other causes of seizures and neurologic changes)
• clinical response to administered thiamine (symptoms improve after the person is given thiamine supplements)

Updated Date: 02/09/00

Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial