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Pathology

Water soluble vitamin, found in pork, rice, beans and cereals 
Role as enzyme co-factor

Aetiology

Alcohol excess

Signs

Beri Beri: Motor and sensory peripheral neuropathy resulting in pain and weakness, 
can also present with CCF, ascites and peripheral oedema
Wernicke’s Encephalopathy: Confusion, nystagmus, ataxia and ophthalmoplegia, 
almost always associated with alcohol excess
Korsakoff’s Syndrome: Chronic state due to Wernicke’s encephalopathy results in
impaired short term memory characterised by confabulat.

Symptoms

Confusion, gait abnormalities, memory problems 

Investigations

Clinical diagnosis

Treatment

Medical: IV thiamine and oral thiamine supplements

Prognosis

Beri Beri and Wernicke’s encephalopathy reverse with supplementation, Korsakoff’s syndrome is irreversible
Korsakoff’s syndrome is irreversible

Key Facts

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Key Images

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Key References

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