Beri-Beri

Cause:

• Deficiency of Vitamin B₁ (Thiamine).

• Biochemical Role: Thiamine is a coenzyme for pyruvate dehydrogenase, α‑ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, and transketolase – essential in carbohydrate metabolism.

Types & Symptoms:

• Dry Beri-Beri: Peripheral neuropathy, muscle weakness.

• Wet Beri-Beri: Cardiomegaly, tachycardia, edema, high-output cardiac failure.

• Real Data: In severe deficiency, erythrocyte transketolase activity decreases; normal activity is 42–86 μmol/min/L, but can drop below 25 μmol/min/L in Beri-Beri.