Beriberi
Alternate Names : Thiamine Deficiency, Vitamin B1 Deficiency
Beriberi Diagnosis & Tests
Physical examination may show signs of congestive heart failure, including symmetrically swollen lower legs, fluid in the lungs, and elevated neck veins with labored breathing, a rapid heartbeat, and an enlarged heart.
The person with late-stage beriberi may be confused or have memory loss and delusions. Neurological examination may show a loss of vibratory sensation (the person is less able to sense vibration), decreased reflexes, loss of coordination, gait changes (ataxia), nystagmus, drooping of the eyelids (ptosis), and inability to move the eye outwards (opthalmoplegia).
Tests include:
- Measurement of blood thiamine and whole-blood or erythrocyte transketolase activity
- Measurement of urinary thiamine excretion
- Clinical response to administered thiamine (symptoms improve after the person is given thiamine supplements)
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