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Beriberi - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Deficiencia de tiamina; deficiencia de vitamina B1

Definición:

Es una enfermedad en la cual el cuerpo no tiene suficiente tiamina (vitamina B1).

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

Existen dos tipos principales de beriberi:

El beriberi actualmente es poco común en los Estados Unidos porque la mayoría de los alimentos son enriquecidos con vitaminas. Si usted consume una dieta normal y saludable, debe obtener suficiente tiamina. En la actualidad, el beriberi se presenta principalmente en pacientes con problemas de consumo excesivo de alcohol, ya que beber en grandes cantidades puede llevar a desnutrición y dificulta la absorción y el almacenamiento de la tiamina por parte del cuerpo.

Una rara enfermedad conocida como beriberi genético es hereditaria (se transmite de padres a hijos). Las personas afectadas con este tipo de beriberi pierden su capacidad para absorber la tiamina de los alimentos. Esto puede suceder lentamente con el tiempo y los síntomas manifestarse cuando la persona es adulta. Sin embargo, debido a que los médicos pueden no tener en cuenta el beriberi en las personas que no son alcohólicas, este diagnóstico con frecuencia se pasa por alto.

El beriberi puede ocurrir en bebés lactantes cuando el cuerpo de la madre carece de tiamina. La enfermedad también puede afectar a bebés alimentados con fórmulas o leches maternizadas poco comunes que no tienen suficiente tiamina.

El hecho de recibir diálisis y tomar altas dosis de diuréticos aumenta el riesgo de padecer beriberi.

  • Reviewed last on: 7/22/2010
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Brust JCM. Nutrition- and alcohol-related neurologic disorders. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 443.

Chenoweth WL. Vitamin B complex deficiency and excess. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 46.

So YT, Simon RP. Deficiency diseases of the nervous system. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2008:chap 61.

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