Vitamin Deficiencies Flashcards
What are the fat soluble vitamins?
A, D, E, and K
What are the water-soluble vitamins?
B and C
Vitamin A. What are its signs of deficiency?
Retinol = teratogenic
Deficiency = ocular effects; dry eyes and risk of infection.
Vitamin A. What are its benefits?
Night vision, immune system, healthy skin
Vitamin A. What are their sources?
Liver pates, fish liver oil, raw eggs.
Vitamin C. What are its signs of deficiency?
Scurvy, gingival bleeding and petechiae (round spots from bleeding)
ASCORBIC ACID = good in the absorption of iron. Claimed to help improve the common cold.
Vitamin C. What are its benefits?
Protects cells, wound healing, collagen formation.
Vitamin C. What are their sources?
Oranges, pepper,s tomatoes, blackcurrents
Vitamin D. What are the signs of deficiency?
Rickets and osteomalacia.
CALCIFEROL.
D2 = Ergocalciferol
D3 = Cholecalciferol
Vitamin D. Which types of vit D do you give in severe renal impairment?
Give hydroxylated versions of vit D = Alfacalcidol, calcitriol
Vitamin D. What are its benefits?
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
Vitamin E. What’s their job?
TOCOPHEROL.
Inhibits platelet aggregation.
Increased risk of bleeding w Warfarin
Vitamin E. What are its benefits?
Powerful antioxidant which protects free radicals, healthy skin and eyes
Vitamin E. What are their sources?
Plant oils, e.g. olive oil, nuts and seeds; wheat germ
Vitamin K. What are the 2 types of vitamin K?
PHYTOMENADIONE = blood clotting
Lipid soluble = phytomenadione
Water-soluble used in liver impairment = menadiol
Vitamin K. What’s the purpose of this vitamin?
Given to all newborn babies vitamin K to prevent neonatal haemorrhage.
Don’t give Vit K with warfarin as it has an antagonising effect
Vitamin K. What are their sources?
Green, leafy vegtables.
Vitamin B1. What’s it used for?
THIAMINE
Wernicke’s encephalopathy.
Anaphylaxis with Vitamin B1 injections
Vitamin B1 - what are its benefits?
B vitamins release energy from food. Healthy CNS
Vitamin B1. What are its sources?
Fortified cereals. Wholegrain.
Vitamin B2. What are its benefits?
RIBOFLAVIN
Healthy skin, nerves and eyes
Vitamin B2. What are its sources?
Milk, eggs, fortified cereals, rice.
Vitamin B3. What is it available as?
NIACIN
Nicotinamide (preferred)
Nicotinic acid (vasodilation SE)
Vitamin B3. What are its benefits?
Healthy skin and eyes
Vitamin B3. What are its sources?
Eggs, milk, fish, meat, wheat flour
Vitamin B6. What is it used for?
PYRIDOXINE
Prevents peripheral neuropathy.
Given with isoniazid/penicillamine.
Risk of sensory neuropathy with prolonged use of high doses > 200mg.
Treats premenstrual syndrome.
Vitamin B6. What are its benefits?
Helps make several neurotransmitters.
Hb
Vitamin B6. What are its sources?
Fortified cereals, chicken, veggies
Vitamin B7. What is it used for?
BIOTIN.
Strengthens hair and nails
Vitamin B7. What are its benefits?
Essential for fat metabolism
Vitamin B7. What are its sources?
Range of foods => vegetables, whole cereals.
Vitamin B12. What is it used for?
COBALAMIN / HYDROXOCOBALAMIN
It treats megaloblastic anaemia. B12 deficiency is common in vegans.
B12. What are its benefits?
Healthy NS, makes RBC, processing folic acid
B12. What are its sources?
Meat, salmon, fortified cereals.
What do you use to treat neural tube defects?
FOLIC ACID = VIT B9
Folic acid 400mcg OD, before conception and until week 12 of pregnancy.
This helps reduce the risk of spina bifida in pregnant women
Regarding neural tube defects, what would you give to women in high-risk groups?
FOLIC ACID = VIT B9
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
VIT B5
PANTOTHENIC ACID
