Vitamin-E Deficiency

Vitamin-E (tocopherol) deficiency is rare, occurring in severe fat malabsorption (cystic fibrosis, cholestatic liver disease, abetalipoproteinemia) and in premature infants. Clinical: progressive neurologic dysfunction (areflexia, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, peripheral neuropathy), and hemolytic anemia in premature neonates. Treatment: high-dose vitamin-E supplementation; treat underlying malabsorption.

Common Symptoms

Areflexia; ataxia; ophthalmoplegia; peripheral neuropathy; hemolytic anemia (premature)

Causes and Pathogenesis

Fat malabsorption reduces tocopherol absorption; as an antioxidant, deficiency leads to neuronal and red-cell membrane oxidative damage.

Treatment

High-dose oral vitamin-E; treat underlying malabsorption; monitor neurologic status

Preventive Measures

Supplement fat-malabsorption patients; premature-infant vitamin-E protocols.

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.