AIIMS Raipur - 2017 (…: Deficiency of which of the following vitamin causes Beriberi?

AIIMS Raipur - 2017 (Shift-3)

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur - 2017 (Shift-3)

Explanation

Beriberi is a disease directly caused by a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1) in the diet.
Thiamine is a crucial coenzyme for carbohydrate metabolism, which is vital for generating energy for all body cells, especially nerve and heart muscle cells.
Its deficiency impairs these functions, leading to the characteristic neurological symptoms of 'dry beriberi' (e.g., neuropathy, muscle wasting) and cardiovascular symptoms of 'wet beriberi' (e.g., high-output heart failure, edema).
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is another severe manifestation of thiamine deficiency, commonly seen in individuals with chronic alcoholism.

Option B: A deficiency in Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) causes scurvy, not beriberi.
Option C: Vitamin E deficiency is rare and is primarily associated with neurological problems like spinocerebellar ataxia and hemolytic anemia, not beriberi.
Option D: A deficiency in Vitamin D causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, which are conditions related to bone softening and deformities.

Visual 1: Diagram - A side-by-side comparison of the symptoms of wet beriberi (showing an enlarged heart and leg edema) and dry beriberi (showing muscle wasting and foot drop).
Visual 2: Infographic - A chart listing major vitamins, their food sources, and their corresponding deficiency diseases (Beriberi, Scurvy, Rickets, Pellagra).
Visual 3: Photograph - Clinical image of a patient with scurvy, highlighting bleeding gums (gingival hemorrhage) to differentiate it from beriberi.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vitamin deficiencies and associated diseases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be able to identify populations at high risk for thiamine deficiency, including individuals with chronic alcoholism, patients who have had bariatric surgery, those on chronic diuretic therapy, and people with diets high in polished rice.
Early recognition of nonspecific symptoms like fatigue, irritability, and tingling in the extremities is crucial for preventing progression to severe, life-threatening cardiovascular or neurological damage.
Patient education is a key nursing role, involving teaching about balanced diets rich in thiamine (e.g., whole grains, legumes, pork) to prevent deficiency.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is linking a specific disease ('Beriberi') to a nutritional deficiency.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge base about major vitamin deficiencies.
Recall or deduce that 'Beriberi' is the classic disease associated with Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency.
Briefly consider the other options to confirm your answer. Vitamin C causes scurvy, Vitamin D causes rickets/osteomalacia, and Vitamin E deficiency is rare but causes neurological issues. None of these cause beriberi.
Select 'Thiamine' as the correct answer based on this direct association.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 textbook of Applied Biochemistry and Nutrition & Dietetics 2nd Edition Harbans Lal (pp 26-464 of 479) p. 464-479