Vitamin B1 Cures Beriberi
Clinical Study Title:
Outbreak of beriberi among illegal mainland Chinese immigrants at
a detention center in Taiwan.
| Plain
English Summary: |
Beriberi
is a condition that arises from deficiency of vitamin
B1, also known as thiamine. This research study examined
the outbreak of beriberi among inmates in Taiwan.
A review of the diet of 176 inmates who had symptoms
of beriberi was done, and their risk based on this
information was done. Of the 176 inmates, about 19%
were considered highly probable for having beriberi,
and another 40% were considered a possibility for
having beriberi. These patients were given thiamine
supplements and the symptoms for all 176 inmates cleared
up. This suggests that in situations were risk of
beriberi is high, a supplement of thiamine, or Vitamin B1,
should be given every day. |
|
Authors:
Chen KT. Twu SJ. Chiou ST. Pan WH. Chang HJ. Serdula MK.
Institution:
Field Epidemiology Training Program, Center for Disease Control,
Department of Health, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Country of Publication:
United States
Source:
Public Health Reports. 118(1):59-64, 2003 Jan-Feb.
|
