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Pediatric vitamin B-1 deficiency (thiamine)

A child who doesn’t get enough of vitamin B-1 (thiamine) in their diet will likely develop a vitamin B-1 deficiency.

Overview

What is a pediatric vitamin B-1 deficiency (thiamine)?

Vitamin B-1 (also known as thiamine) is used by tissues throughout the body. This vitamin helps turn the foods a child eats into energy and is critical to your health. Vitamin B-1 deficiency is rare in the United States today.

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a pediatric vitamin B-1 deficiency (thiamine)?

Not getting enough vitamin B-1 can lead to a variety of serious problems with the body’s major systems. Signs and symptoms include:

  • Abnormal eye movements

  • Cognitive (thinking) problems

  • Decreased alertness

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Heart problems

  • Problems with memory

  • Problems with muscle coordination

  • Visual impairment

Causes

What are the causes of a pediatric vitamin B-1 deficiency (thiamine)?

When a child doesn’t get enough of this important vitamin from foods or supplements, deficiency can occur. Certain conditions or situations can make a child more susceptible to having a vitamin B-1 deficiency, such as: