Vitamin Deficiency Disorders

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia

• Caused by insufficient dietary intake or impaired absorption of vitamin B12
• Characterized by:
  • Macrocytic anemia (enlarged red blood cells)
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale skin
• Can lead to nerve damage and neurological problems if left untreated
• Diagnosis: blood tests for vitamin B12 levels and hematocrit
• Treatment: vitamin B12 injections or oral supplements

Folate Deficiency Neurological Symptoms

• Caused by insufficient dietary intake or impaired absorption of folate
• Neurological symptoms:
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Mood changes
  • Memory impairment
  • Personality changes
• Can also cause anemia, weakness, and shortness of breath
• Diagnosis: blood tests for folate levels
• Treatment: folate supplements

Thiamine Deficiency Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

• Caused by chronic thiamine deficiency, often due to alcoholism or malnutrition
• Characterized by:
  • Wernicke's encephalopathy (acute phase):
    • Confusion
    • Oculomotor disturbances
    • Ataxia
  • Korsakoff's psychosis (chronic phase):
    • Memory loss
    • Confabulation
    • Lack of insight
• Diagnosis: clinical evaluation, neuroimaging, and thiamine levels
• Treatment: thiamine supplements, often in combination with other B vitamins

Riboflavin Deficiency Ariboflavinosis

• Caused by insufficient dietary intake or impaired absorption of riboflavin
• Characterized by:
  • Mouth and skin lesions
  • Cracked lips
  • Inflammation of the tongue and mouth
  • Seborrheic dermatitis
• Can also cause fatigue, blurred vision, and hair loss
• Diagnosis: clinical evaluation and riboflavin levels
• Treatment: riboflavin supplements

Niacin Deficiency Pellagra

• Caused by insufficient dietary intake or impaired absorption of niacin
• Characterized by:
  • Diarrhea
  • Dermatitis (skin lesions)
  • Dementia (in severe cases)
• Can also cause fatigue, headache, and depression
• Diagnosis: clinical evaluation, niacin levels, and response to treatment
• Treatment: niacin supplements