Beriberi

Beriberi is thiamine (vitamin-B1) deficiency. Forms: wet beriberi (high-output heart failure, edema, tachycardia), dry beriberi (symmetric peripheral neuropathy, motor/sensory loss), and infantile beriberi (acute cardiac/aphonic form in breast-fed infants of deficient mothers). Causes: polished-rice diet, chronic alcoholism, malabsorption, prolonged intravenous feeding without thiamine. Treatment: parenteral thiamine repletion.

Common Symptoms

Wet: edema, tachycardia, heart failure; dry: symmetric peripheral neuropathy, paresthesia, foot drop; infantile: acute cardiac failure/aphonia

Causes and Pathogenesis

Thiamine is a cofactor in oxidative metabolism; deficiency impairs ATP production in high-energy tissues (heart, peripheral nerves, brain).

Treatment

Parenteral thiamine (before glucose); nutritional rehabilitation; treat alcoholism; supportive cardiac care

Preventive Measures

Thiamine-fortified foods; treat alcoholism; supplement in TPN; balanced diet.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Nutrition department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.