Vitamin Deficiencies

Question 1

What are the fat soluble vitamins?

Answer 1

A, D, E, and K

Question 2

What are the water-soluble vitamins?

Answer 2

B and C

Question 3

Vitamin A. What are its signs of deficiency?

Answer 3

Retinol = teratogenic
Deficiency = ocular effects; dry eyes and risk of infection.

Question 4

Vitamin A. What are its benefits?

Answer 4

Night vision, immune system, healthy skin

Question 5

Vitamin A. What are their sources?

Answer 5

Liver pates, fish liver oil, raw eggs.

Question 6

Vitamin C. What are its signs of deficiency?

Answer 6

Scurvy, gingival bleeding and petechiae (round spots from bleeding)

ASCORBIC ACID = good in the absorption of iron. Claimed to help improve the common cold.

Question 7

Vitamin C. What are its benefits?

Answer 7

Protects cells, wound healing, collagen formation.

Question 8

Vitamin C. What are their sources?

Answer 8

Oranges, pepper,s tomatoes, blackcurrents

Question 9

Vitamin D. What are the signs of deficiency?

Answer 9

Rickets and osteomalacia.

CALCIFEROL.
D2 = Ergocalciferol
D3 = Cholecalciferol

Question 10

Vitamin D. Which types of vit D do you give in severe renal impairment?

Answer 10

Give hydroxylated versions of vit D = Alfacalcidol, calcitriol

Question 11

Vitamin D. What are its benefits?

Answer 11

Benefits = Vit D is needed for dietary absorption of Ca. Maintain Ca and PO4 levels. Healthy bones and teeth

If N/V happens, check plasma Ca concentration

Question 12

Vitamin E. What’s their job?

Answer 12

TOCOPHEROL.
Inhibits platelet aggregation.
Increased risk of bleeding w Warfarin

Question 13

Vitamin E. What are its benefits?

Answer 13

Powerful antioxidant which protects free radicals, healthy skin and eyes

Question 14

Vitamin E. What are their sources?

Answer 14

Plant oils, e.g. olive oil, nuts and seeds; wheat germ

Question 15

Vitamin K. What are the 2 types of vitamin K?

Answer 15

PHYTOMENADIONE = blood clotting

Lipid soluble = phytomenadione
Water-soluble used in liver impairment = menadiol

Question 16

Vitamin K. What’s the purpose of this vitamin?

Answer 16

Given to all newborn babies vitamin K to prevent neonatal haemorrhage.
Don’t give Vit K with warfarin as it has an antagonising effect

Question 17

Vitamin K. What are their sources?

Answer 17

Green, leafy vegtables.

Question 18

Vitamin B1. What’s it used for?

Answer 18

THIAMINE
Wernicke’s encephalopathy.
Anaphylaxis with Vitamin B1 injections

Question 19

Vitamin B1 - what are its benefits?

Answer 19

B vitamins release energy from food. Healthy CNS

Question 20

Vitamin B1. What are its sources?

Answer 20

Fortified cereals. Wholegrain.

Question 21

Vitamin B2. What are its benefits?

Answer 21

RIBOFLAVIN
Healthy skin, nerves and eyes

Question 22

Vitamin B2. What are its sources?

Answer 22

Milk, eggs, fortified cereals, rice.

Question 23

Vitamin B3. What is it available as?

Answer 23

NIACIN
Nicotinamide (preferred)
Nicotinic acid (vasodilation SE)

Question 24

Vitamin B3. What are its benefits?

Answer 24

Healthy skin and eyes

Question 25

Vitamin B3. What are its sources?

Answer 25

Eggs, milk, fish, meat, wheat flour

Question 26

Vitamin B6. What is it used for?

Answer 26

PYRIDOXINE Prevents peripheral neuropathy. Given with isoniazid/penicillamine. Risk of sensory neuropathy with prolonged use of high doses > 200mg. Treats premenstrual syndrome.

Question 27

Vitamin B6. What are its benefits?

Answer 27

Helps make several neurotransmitters. Hb

Question 28

Vitamin B6. What are its sources?

Answer 28

Fortified cereals, chicken, veggies

Question 29

Vitamin B7. What is it used for?

Answer 29

BIOTIN. Strengthens hair and nails

Question 30

Vitamin B7. What are its benefits?

Answer 30

Essential for fat metabolism

Question 31

Vitamin B7. What are its sources?

Answer 31

Range of foods => vegetables, whole cereals.

Question 32

Vitamin B12. What is it used for?

Answer 32

COBALAMIN / HYDROXOCOBALAMIN It treats megaloblastic anaemia. B12 deficiency is common in vegans.

Question 33

B12. What are its benefits?

Answer 33

Healthy NS, makes RBC, processing folic acid

Question 34

B12. What are its sources?

Answer 34

Meat, salmon, fortified cereals.

Question 35

What do you use to treat neural tube defects? FOLIC ACID = VIT B9

Answer 35

Folic acid 400mcg OD, before conception and until week 12 of pregnancy. This helps reduce the risk of spina bifida in pregnant women

Question 36

Regarding neural tube defects, what would you give to women in high-risk groups? FOLIC ACID = VIT B9

Answer 36

Folic acid 5mg OD, before conception and until week 12 of pregnancy. Risk groups: - AED - DM - a previous infant with neural tube defects - sickle cell disease => this is given throughout the whole pregnancy

Question 37

VIT B5

Answer 37

PANTOTHENIC ACID