Table 1.
Diseases caused by vitamin B deficiencies
| Vitamin | Disease | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B1 (thiamine) | Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) | Acute and chronic brain syndrome |
| Beri-beri | Cardiomyopathy, with or without cardiac failure | |
| Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) | Dementia | Chronic brain syndrome |
| Anaemia | ||
| Dermatitis and glossitis | ||
| Vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid/niacin) | Pellagra | Irritable skin rashes, glossitis |
| Encephalopathy | Lower seizure threshold, disturbed higher mental executive functions and memory | |
| Enteropathy | Diarrhoea | |
| Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) | Peripheral neuropathy | Sensory, often painful |
| Cardiomyopathy | Reduced heart function, heart failure | |
| Dermatitis | Irritable skin rashes | |
| Folic acid | Anaemia | |
| Neural tube defects in foetus | ||
| Neuropathy and encephalopathy | Including peripheral neuropathy, subacute degeneration of spinal cord, cerebral atrophy | |
| Macular degeneration | Reduced central vision | |
| Vitamin B12 | Anaemia | |
| Neuropathy and encephalopathy | Peripheral neuropathy, subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, cognitive impairment | |
| Psychiatric syndromes | Anxiety and irritability Depression Psychosis |
|
| Cardiomyopathy | Reduced heart function, heart failure |