The rediscovery of thiamine deficiency disorders at a secondary level mission hospital in Northeast India

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2021-08, Vol.1498 (1), p.96-107
• Main Authors: Koshy, Roshine Mary, Thankaraj, Shajin, Ismavel, Vijay Anand, Solomi, Carolin V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acidosis; At risk populations; Cardiomyopathy; Case studies; Deficiency diseases; Disorders; Metabolic acidosis; Peripheral neuropathy; Public health; Supplements; Thiamine; thiamine deficiency disorders; thiamine‐responsive cardiomyopathy; thiamine‐responsive infantile cardiac beriberi; thiamine‐responsive neuropathy; Vitamin B; Vitamin deficiency
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632
• DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14552

In this article, we report the different presentations of thiamine deficiency disorders seen at a remote rural mission hospital in Northeast India, including investigations, treatment, and recovery. Two case studies, one of an infant with cardiac beriberi and the other of a nonalcoholic adult presenting with peripheral neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, and metabolic acidosis and responding to thiamine supplementation, are described in detail. We share our experience with these clinical entities over the past two decades, including recent research and lessons learned, and suggest ways forward to identify at‐risk populations in Northeast India, improve early diagnosis and treatment, and promote preventive public health strategies. In this article, we report the different presentations of thiamine deficiency disorders (TDDs) seen at a remote rural mission hospital in Northeast India, including investigations, treatment, and recovery. Two case studies are described in detail. We share our experience with these clinical entities over the past two decades and suggest ways forward to identify at‐risk populations in Northeast India, improve early diagnosis and treatment, and promote preventive public health strategies.