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Beriberi

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Thiamine deficiency; Vitamin B1 deficiency

Symptoms:

Symptoms of dry beriberi include:

• Pain
• Tingling
• Loss of feeling (sensation) in hands and feet
• Muscle damage with loss of muscle function or paralysis of the lower legs
• Vomiting
• Strange eye movements (nystagmus)
• Mental confusion/speech difficulties
• Difficulty walking
• Coma
• Death

Symptoms of wet beriberi include:

• Swelling of the lower legs
• Increased heart rate
• Lung congestion
• Enlarged heart related to congestive heart failure
• Shortness of breath with activity
• Awakening at night short of breath

Signs and tests:

A physical examination may show signs of congestive heart failure , including swelling in both the lower legs, fluid in the lungs, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing with neck veins that stick out.

A person with late-stage beriberi may be confused or have memory loss and delusions. The person may be less able to sense vibration. A neurological exam may show signs of decreased reflexes, changes in the person's walk, coordination problems, drooping of the eyelids, and other changes.

The following tests may be done:

• Blood tests to measure the amount of thiamine in the blood
• Urine tests to see if thiamine is passing through urine

• Review Date: 7/21/2006
• Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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