Acute abdominal pain as a presenting symptom of beriberi in a pediatric patient

Abstract

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) plays a fundamental role in the proper functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems and in glucose metabolism. Because of the inability of the human body to store large amounts of vitamin, continuous restoration through diet is necessary. In the pediatric population, thiamine deficiency has a broad spectrum of clinical presentations, making diagnosis difficult. In this article, we report the case of a 7-month-old child with thiamine deficiency presented with neurological symptoms and simulation of acute abdomen. The patient received thiamine replacement, which resulted in rapid reversal of metabolic alterations and significant improvement in the signs and symptoms. A detailed investigation of dietary history and careful nutritional assessment of every critically ill pediatric patient is necessary, regardless of the primary cause of hospitalization.