Which disorder is associated with thiamin deficiency?

Which disorder is associated with thiamin deficiency?

• A. Beriberi
• B. Pellagra
• C. Rickets
• D. Dermatitis

Answer: (A)

Thiamin deficiency disrupts energy production because thiamin pyrophosphate is a cofactor for enzymes like pyruvate dehydrogenase and transketolase. When these pathways falter, tissues with high energy demands, especially the heart and nervous system, are affected, leading to beriberi. Beriberi has wet forms with cardiovascular symptoms (edema, heart failure) and dry forms with neuropathy. In contrast, pellagra is due to niacin deficiency and presents with dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia; rickets results from vitamin D deficiency affecting bone mineralization; dermatitis can occur in other conditions but is not the classic disease linked to thiamin deficiency. So beriberi is the disorder associated with thiamin deficiency.

Thiamin deficiency disrupts energy production because thiamin pyrophosphate is a cofactor for enzymes like pyruvate dehydrogenase and transketolase. When these pathways falter, tissues with high energy demands, especially the heart and nervous system, are affected, leading to beriberi. Beriberi has wet forms with cardiovascular symptoms (edema, heart failure) and dry forms with neuropathy. In contrast, pellagra is due to niacin deficiency and presents with dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia; rickets results from vitamin D deficiency affecting bone mineralization; dermatitis can occur in other conditions but is not the classic disease linked to thiamin deficiency. So beriberi is the disorder associated with thiamin deficiency.