beriberi

Nutritional disorder resulting from thiamine deficiency. Etiology: 1) poor diet (polished rice is classic example) 2) alcoholism Clinical manifestations: 1) weakness 2) irritability 3) burning feet 4) pruritus 5) nausea/vomiting 6) tremor 7) diminished deep tendon reflexes (DTR) in lower extremities 8) muscle atrophy 9) tachycardia 10) edema 11) serous effusions Laboratory: 1) anemia 2) diminished serum thiamine 3) diminished erythrocyte transketolase 4) increased blood pyruvic acid 5) no urinary excretion of thiamine after a test dose Radiology: enlarged heart

References

DeGowin & DeGowin's Diagnostic Examination, 6th edition, RL DeGowin (ed), McGraw Hill, NY 1994, pg 869