Nutrient Deficiency Flashcards
Role of Vitamin A
Vital for epithelial proliferation, keratinisation and development
Sources of Vitamin A
Animal - milk, liver, eggs, oily fish
Plant - green leafy veg, bright yellow/orange fruit and veg
Presentation of Vitamin A deficiency
Keratotic follicular papules on the thighs, upper arms and dry skin
How to diagnose Vitamin A deficiency
Measure serum Vitamin A
Role of Vitamin K
Essential for several blood coagulation factors
Sources of Vitamin K
Green leafy veg, liber, legumes, vegetable oils
Also produced by bacteria in the GI tract
Presentation of Vitamin K deficiency
Bleeding tendency, seen in skin as purpura and easy bruising
How to diagnose Vitamin K deficiency
Measure coagulation and serum Vitamin K
What is Vitamin B2 also known as
Riboflavin
What is the role of Vitamin B2?
Essential co-factor in numerous metabolic reactions
What are the sources of Vitamin B2?
Milk, liver, meat, eggs, green leafy veg
How does Vitamin B2 deficiency present
Lesions of the margins of the lips (cheilosis) and corners of the mouth (angular stomatitis).
Painful read and dry tongue
How to diagnose Vitamin B2 deficiency
Measure the activity coefficient of erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR)
What is Vitamin B3 also known as?
Niacin
What is the role of Vitamin B3?
Essential co-factor in numerous metabolic reactions
What are the sources of Vitamin B3?
Meat, fish, nuts, coffee
Also converted from dietary tryptophan (essential amino acid) in the body
How does vitamin B3 deficiency present?
Pellagra
D-dermatitis, bilateral, symmetrical, itchy, red rash, worse on sun exposed areas
D-delirium, headaches, irritability, anxiety, depression and memory impairment
D-diarrhoea with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
D-death in 4-5 years if not treated
How to diagnose Vitamin B3 deficiency
Clinical diagnosis, as difficult to measure levels
Nicotinamide supplementation brings rapid improvement
What is the role of Vitamin B6?
Co-enzyme for many processes
What are the sources of Vitamin B6?
Meat, cereals, milk, potatoes, bananas, nuts and pulses
How does Vitamin B6 deficiency present?
Dermatitis of the face, scalp, neck, shoulders, buttocks and perineum, tongue inflammation (glossitis)
How to diagnose Vitamin B6 deficiency
Measure serum or urinary Vitamin B6
Trial of supplement
What is the role of Folate?
Critical co-enzyme in many processes with similar deficiency states
What are the sources of Folate?
Liver, green leafy veg, beans, nuts and milk
What is the presentation of folate deficiency?
Anaemia, angular stomatitis, glossitis, hair depigmentation, skin and mucous membrane pigmentation.
How to diagnose folate deficiency?
Measure serum folate
What is the role of Vitamin B12?
Critical co-enzymes in many processes with similar deficiency states
What are the sources of Vitamin B12
Only found in foods of animal origin such as meat, milk, fish and eggs
How does Vitamin B12 deficiency present?
Anaemia, angular stomatitis, glossitis, hair depigmentation, skin and mucous membrane pigmentation.
Neurological symptoms
What is the role of Biotin?
Essential co-factor for carboxylase enzymes
What are the sources of biotin?
Cereals, milk, eggs, pulses, nuts.
Also produced by GI bacteria
How does biotin deficiency present?
Rare - usually only seenin malabsorptive states or inadequate parenteral nutrition.
Facial dermatitis, glossitis, alopecia
How to diagnose biotin deficiency?
Measure serum biotin
What is Vitamin C also known as?
Ascorbic acid
What is the role of Vitamin C?
Essential co-factor in collagen formation
What are the sources of vitamin C?
Citrus fruits, strawberries, blackcurrants, tomatoes, potatoes
How does Vitamin C deficiency present?
Hyperkeratosis around hair follicles, bent hairs, inflamed gums, poor wound healing.
Also fatigue, malaise, muscle and bone pain
How to diagnose Vitamin C deficiency?
Usually clinical diagnosis
What is the role of zinc?
Required for many metabolic pathways. Required for structure and function of skin and so vital for wound healing
What are the sources of zinc?
Meat, fish, milk, eggs, cereals, nuts and pulses
How does zinc deficiency present?
Genetic - Acrodermatitis enterpathica (autosomal recessive) caused by lack of zinc absorption. Infants develop diarrhoea, alopecia, dry / brittle hair, perioral, facial and acral (i.e. hands and feet) dermatitis.
Acquired – more common, and may be due to increased elimination of zinc secondary to burns or infection. Dermatitic rash of hands and feet mainly, growth retardation in children
How to diagnose zinc deficiency?
Measure the serum zinc
What are the fat soluble vitamins?
Vitamin A and K
What are the water soluble vitamins?
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Bitamin B3 (Niacin) Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Biotin Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
