Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- presence of risk factors
- ocular abnormalities (Wernicke encephalopathy)
Other diagnostic factors
- confusion (Wernicke encephalopathy)
- ataxia (Wernicke encephalopathy)
- fatigue
- muscle aches
- incessant crying (infantile beri-beri)
- anorexia (infantile beri-beri)
- bulging fontanelle (infantile beri-beri)
- dyspnea (wet beriberi)
- orthopnea (wet beriberi)
- tachycardia (wet beriberi)
- peripheral cyanosis (wet beriberi)
- peripheral edema (wet beriberi)
- decreased sensation (dry beriberi)
- reduced tendon reflexes (dry beriberi)
- muscle weakness (dry beriberi)
- muscle wasting (dry beriberi)
Risk factors
- chronic alcohol excess
- malnutrition
- staple diet of polished rice
- age <1 year in endemic thiamine deficient region
- refeeding/total parenteral nutrition
- hyperemesis gravidarum
- obesity
- recurrent vomiting/chronic diarrhoea
- gastrointestinal surgery
- magnesium deficiency
- HIV infection/AIDS
- cancer and chemotherapy
- thiaminase- and thiamine antagonist-containing diet
- genetic mutation
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- erythrocyte thiamine pyrophosphate
- arterial blood gas
- lactate
- thyroid function tests
Tests to consider
- MRI brain
Treatment algorithm
at-risk asymptomatic hospitalized adults
outpatient on alcohol withdrawal program
symptomatic adults
symptomatic children and infants
Contributors
Authors
Jennifer Logue, MBChB, MRCP, MD, FRCPath

Reader and Honorary Consultant in Metabolic Medicine
Lancaster University Medical School
Lancaster University
Lancaster
UK
Disclosures
JL declares that she has no competing interests.
Mike Lean, MA, MB, BChir, MD, MRCP, FRCPS, FRCP

Professor of Human Nutrition
University of Glasgow
Glasgow
Scotland
UK
Disclosures
ML declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
William Marshall, MA, MB, BS, PhD, MSc, FRCP, FRCPath, FRCPEdin, FSB
Emeritus Reader in Clinical Biochemistry
King's College London
Clinical Director of Pathology
The London Clinic
London
UK
Disclosures
WM declares that he has no competing interests.
Linda Edwards, MD
Chief and Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of General Internal Medicine
Associate Chairman
Department of Medicine
University of Florida College of Medicine
Jacksonville
FL
Disclosures
LE declares that she has no competing interests.
Martin Crook, BSc, MB, BS, MA, PhD, FRCPath, FRCPI, FRCP
Consultant Chemical Pathologist
Guy's Hospital
London
UK
Disclosures
MC declares that he has no competing interests.
References
Key articles
Whitfield KC, Bourassa MW, Adamolekun B, et al. Thiamine deficiency disorders: diagnosis, prevalence, and a roadmap for global control programs. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2018 Oct;1430(1):3-43.Full text Abstract
World Health Organisation, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Thiamine deficiency and its prevention and control in major emergencies. 1999 [internet publication].Full text
Galvin R, Bråthen G, Ivashynka A, et al. Guidelines for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of Wernicke encephalopathy. Eur J Neurol. 2010 Dec;17(12):1408-18.Full text Abstract
World Health Organization. The management of nutrition in major emergencies. 2000 [internet publicaton].Full text
Day E, Bentham PW, Callaghan R, et al. Thiamine for prevention and treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome in people who abuse alcohol. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jul 1;(7):CD004033.Full text Abstract
Reference articles
A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
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