Open AccessCombined Deficiencies of Vitamins B1and C in Well-Nourished Patients
Author(s) -
Karthika Veerapaneni,
Thomas M. Brown,
David P. Dooley
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
primary care companion to cns disorders/the primary care companion for cns disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2155-7772
pISSN - 2155-7780
DOI - 10.4088/pcc.14br01649
Subject(s) - thiamine , scurvy , ascorbic acid , micronutrient , vitamin c , medicine , vitamin , b vitamins , malnutrition , physiology , encephalopathy , wernicke encephalopathy , thiamine deficiency , vitamin deficiency , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , biology , pathology , food science
Vitamin deficiencies such as scurvy and Wernicke's encephalopathy are poorly recognized in Western populations. Inadequate intake of these micronutrients and low levels when measured are more frequent than expected. Cases of combined vitamin deficiencies such as that of ascorbic acid and thiamine are seldom reported. Two patients with clinical and biochemical evidence of vitamin deficiencies are described. Signs and symptoms rapidly responded to vitamin replacement. Neither patient was overtly malnourished, but nutritional histories and physical examination were strongly suggestive. Vitamin replacement may require large intravenous doses but is inexpensive and potentially of great benefit.