Beriberi
Alternative names:
thiamine deficiency; vitamin B1 deficiency
Treatment:
Administration of thiamine
reverses the deficiency and symptoms improve rapidly. Because
most patients suffer from multiple deficiencies a vitamin
B-complex is often given.
Expectations (prognosis):
Cardiac damage is reversible and is not permanent. Full
recovery is expected after treatment. Untreated, beriberi
is often fatal. If acute heart failure has occurred outlook
is poor. If damage to the nervous system is not too great
response to treatment is usually good.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Beriberi is extremely rare in the United States. However,
if you feel your family's diet is inadequate or poorly balanced
and you or your children have any of the described symptoms,
call your health care provider.
Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
editorial
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