From the Research
Thiamine Deficiency and Its Role in Acute Gastroenteritis
- Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism and energy production in the body 1, 2, 3.
- Thiamine deficiency can occur due to inadequate nutrition, increased urinary excretion, and acute metabolic stress, and can lead to severe complications such as congestive heart failure, peripheral neuropathy, and Wernicke's encephalopathy 4.
- Patients with acute gastroenteritis may be at risk of thiamine deficiency due to malabsorption and increased losses of thiamine 2, 4.
- Thiamine supplementation can help prevent and treat thiamine deficiency, and early treatment can improve outcomes in critically ill patients 2, 4.
Risk Factors for Thiamine Deficiency
- Malnutrition, refeeding syndrome, gastrointestinal surgery, and alcoholism are risk factors for thiamine deficiency 2, 3.
- Critically ill patients, including those with sepsis, heart failure, and renal failure, are also at risk of thiamine deficiency 4.
- Patients undergoing surgical procedures or receiving intravenous dextrose without thiamine repletion may also be at risk of thiamine deficiency 1, 4.
Clinical Manifestations of Thiamine Deficiency
- Thiamine deficiency can present with a range of symptoms, including lactic acidosis, peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, and ocular changes 1, 3.
- More advanced symptoms can include confabulation, memory loss, and psychosis, resulting in Wernicke's encephalopathy and/or Wernicke's Korsakoff syndrome 1, 3.
- Thiamine deficiency can also lead to cardiovascular complications, including heart failure and neuropathy leading to ataxia and paralysis 3, 4.