A case series of rare neurological and cardio-pulmonary manifestations of thiamine deficiency in pregnancy and lactation

Thiamine: An indispensable regulator of paediatric neuro-cardiovascular health and diseases

The sustainable developmental goals emphasize good health, reduction in preventable neonatal and under-five mortalities, and attaining zero hunger. However, South Asian countries report a higher incidence of neonatal and under-five mortalities when compared to the Western world, many of which are attributed to maternal and perinatal micronutrient deficiencies. Isolated nutrient deficiency in the absence of calorie deficit poses a diagnostic challenge since such deficiencies present with acute multisystemic and enigmatic manifestations. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is a micronutrient of prime importance which exerts indispensable roles in energy metabolism. Deficiency of thiamine can lead to catastrophic consequences. This review provides insight into the biochemical actions of thiamine in energy metabolism, the compromised aerobic metabolism resulting from thiamine deficiency, and the crucial role of thiamine in the proper functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems. The review also explores the acute life-threatening consequences of thiamine deficiencies in neonates and infants and the speculative role of thiamine in other pathologies like encephalopathy, sepsis, and autism spectrum disorders. However, routine assessment of thiamine in pregnant women and neonates is yet to be implemented, due to the lack of affordable and automated diagnostic techniques, and the cost-intensive nature of mass spectrometry-based quantification.

CONCLUSION

Physicians are recommended to have a low threshold for suspecting thiamine deficiency especially in vulnerable populations. Laboratory diagnosis of thiamine deficiency needs to be implemented as a standard of care, especially in endemic regions. Further, public health policies on food fortification, mandatory supplementation, and surveillance are imperative to eliminate thiamine deficiency-induced health hazards.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• South Asian countries report a higher incidence of neonatal and under-five mortalities, many of which are attributed to maternal and perinatal micronutrient deficiencies. • Preventable causes of neonatal/ infantile deaths include birth factors (low birth weight, birth asphyxia), infectious diseases (pneumonia, diarrhoea, tetanus, tuberculosis, measles, diphtheria, malaria, acute infections), deficiency diseases and genetic diseases (vitamin & mineral deficiencies, IEMs, congenital heart disease, unexplained PPHN, SIDS etc).

WHAT IS NEW

• Acute thiamine deficiency presenting as multisystemic syndromes, has unfortunately been a long standing unresolved public health concern. However, accessible surveillance and diagnostic strategies remain elusive in most clinical settings. • Despite decades of reports and emerging guidelines, diagnosis of thiamine deficiency is often missed and policy mandates at national level are yet to be implemented even in endemic countries. • This review provides a comprehensive summary of the biochemical role of thiamine, its key functions and effects on major organ systems, the diagnostic gap, the enigmatic presentation of acute thiamine deficiency, the plausible role of thiamine in other pathologies and the preventive measures at individual and community level.

Thiamine deficiency-related neuropathy: A reversible entity from an endemic area

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Despite thiamine deficiency being a lesser-known entity in modern times, beriberi in various forms, including thiamine deficiency-related neuropathy, remains endemic in Kashmir due to the consumption of polished rice as a staple food. This observational study investigates cases of peripheral neuropathy of unknown etiology and their potential responsiveness to thiamine administration.

METHODS

This prospective study enrolled adult patients presenting to the emergency department with weakness consistent with thiamine deficiency-related neuropathy and conducted a therapeutic challenge with thiamine on 41 patients. Response to thiamine therapy was monitored based on subjective and objective improvements in weakness and power. Patients were divided into thiamine responders (n = 25) and nonresponders (n = 16) based on their response to thiamine therapy and nerve conduction studies.

RESULTS

Most of the baseline characteristics were similar between responders and nonresponders, except the responders exhibited lower thiamine levels and higher partial pressure of oxygen and lactate levels compared to nonresponders. All patients had a history of consuming polished rice and traditional salt tea. Although weakness in the lower limbs was present in both groups, nonresponders were more likely to exhibit weakness in all four limbs. Clinical improvement was observed within 24 h, but proximal muscle weakness persisted for an extended period of time.

CONCLUSIONS

Thiamine deficiency-related neuropathy presents with predominant lower limb weakness, exacerbated by vomiting, poor food intake, psychiatric illness, and pregnancy. Thiamine challenge should be followed by observation of clinical and biochemical response.

Descriptive spectrum of thiamine deficiency in pregnancy: A potentially preventable condition

OBJECTIVE

Pregnancy, a nutritionally demanding situation in terms of macro- and micronutrient supply owing to heightened maternal, placental, and fetal needs, significantly affects thiamine reserves. Thiamine deficiency during pregnancy and the postpartum period, presenting with varied manifestations and outcomes, is a relatively common condition in our population. The study aimed to understand the various manifestations and outcomes of acute thiamine deficiency in pregnant and postpartum women, emphasizing the significance of early recognition and thiamine therapy to prevent serious complications during pregnancy and after childbirth.

METHODS

This prospective study conducted in a tertiary care center in North India enrolled consecutive pregnant and postpartum women presenting with clinical features consistent with thiamine deficiency disorders, such as thiamine deficiency-related neuropathy, high-output heart failure, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, Wernicke's encephalopathy, gastric beriberi, and thiamine-responsive acute pulmonary hypertension. In addition to capturing medical history including drug intake, dietary consumption, and comorbidities, women underwent brief relevant clinical examinations and laboratory assessments, including whole-blood thiamine levels. Response to intravenous thiamine supplementation was also monitored.

RESULTS

Data of 31 women (12 pregnant, 19 postpartum) with a diagnosis of acute thiamine deficiency and a mean age of 28.88 ± 2.69 years were analyzed. The mean thiamine level was 1.28 ± 0.44 μg/dL with mean blood lactate of 3.46 ± 3.33. The most common presentation was gastric beriberi (n = 10), followed by paraparesis (n = 6), high-output heart failure (n = 6), acute pulmonary hypertension, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (n = 3 each), and an acute confusional state (n = 2). All patients responded to thiamine challenge.

CONCLUSION

In the context of borderline thiamine status, particularly in our population with endemic thiamine deficiency and heightened demand for thiamine during pregnancy and the peripartum period, the deficiency can have varied and serious manifestations of dry and wet beriberi. Early recognition of the clinical features and thiamine therapy can be life-saving. There is a need for validated clinical criteria owing to the non-availability of thiamine testing in resource-limited settings.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome as a Consequence of Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Case Report

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is caused by severe thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency and can lead to chronic deficits. In this case, a 22-year-old pregnant patient at 10 1/7 weeks of gestation presented to the emergency department with malaise, asthenia, headache, weakness, vomiting, and weight loss of 12 kg. Pancreatitis and hepatic steatosis were considered but ruled out, and cholecystolithiasis was confirmed by ultrasound. After significant neurological deterioration, the patient underwent a cranial MRI that revealed suggestive findings in the thalamus consistent with WKS. WKS is a rare complication of hyperemesis gravidarum and should be included in the differential diagnosis of persistent vomiting in order to initiate early and appropriate treatment.

Thiamine deficiency in pregnancy and lactation: implications and present perspectives

During pregnancy, many physiologic changes occur in order to accommodate fetal growth. These changes require an increase in many of the nutritional needs to prevent long-term consequences for both mother and the offspring. One of the main vitamins that are needed throughout the pregnancy is thiamine (vitamin B1) which is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in many metabolic and physiologic processes in the human body. Thiamine deficiency during pregnancy can cause can have many cardiac, neurologic, and psychological effects on the mother. It can also dispose the fetus to gastrointestinal, pulmonological, cardiac, and neurologic conditions. This paper reviews the recently published literature about thiamine and its physiologic roles, thiamine deficiency in pregnancy, its prevalence, its impact on infants and subsequent consequences in them. This review also highlights the knowledge gaps within these topics.