ED: Vitamin Deficiencies

Question 1

Vitamin A

Answer 1

Night blindness, dry skin

Question 2

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Answer 2

Beriberi (polyneuritis, dilated cardiomyopathy, high-output CHF, edema), Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (Wernicke: ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, confusion)

Question 3

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Answer 3

Angular stomatitis, cheilosis, corneal vascularization

Question 4

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Answer 4

Pellagra (diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia)

Question 5

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenate)

Answer 5

Dermatitis, enteritis, alopecia, adrenal insufficiency

Question 6

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Answer 6

Convulsions, hyperirritability; required during administration of INH

Question 7

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Answer 7

Macrocytic, megaloblastic anemia; neurologic symptoms (optic neuropathy, subacute combined degeneration (posterior+lateral columns), paresthesias); glossitis

Question 8

Vitamin C

Answer 8

Scurvy (swollen gums, bruising, anemia, poor wound healing)

Question 9

Vitamin D

Answer 9

Rickets in children (bending bones), osteomalacia in adults (soft bones), hypocalcemic tetany

Question 10

Vitamin E

Answer 10

Increased fragility of RBCs

Question 11

Vitamin K

Answer 11

Neonatal hemorrhage; increased PT and aPTT, normal BT

Question 12

Biotin

Answer 12

Dermatitis, enteritis. Can be caused by ingestion of raw eggs or antibiotic use

Question 13

Folic acid

Answer 13

The most common vitamin deficiency in the US. Sprue; macrocytic, megaloblastic anemia without neurologic symptoms

Question 14

Magnesium

Answer 14

Weakness, muscle cramps, exacerbation of hypocalcemic tetany, CNS hyperirritability leading to tremors, choreoathetoid movement

Question 15

Selenium

Answer 15

Keshan disease (cardiomyopathy)

Question 16

Zinc

Answer 16

Alopecia, skin lesions, abnormal taste, and impaired wound healing. Often from chronic TPN or malabsorption