Vitamin B1 deficiency: Signs and long-term effects parents should know

What is Vitamin B1 Deficiency

Vitamin B1, or thiamine, is a crucial nutrient that plays a vital role in children's healthy development and functioning. This water-soluble vitamin is essential for converting food into energy, supporting nerve and muscle function, and maintaining a robust immune system. Without adequate vitamin B1, kids can experience various health issues, from fatigue and poor appetite to neurological problems and impaired growth.

Children, in particular, require sufficient thiamine to fuel their active lifestyles, support their rapidly growing bodies, and ensure their brains develop properly. A deficiency in this vital nutrient can lead to a serious condition called beriberi, which can cause serious complications if left untreated.

Ensuring kids receive the recommended daily intake of vitamin B1 through a balanced diet rich in whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fortified foods is crucial for supporting their overall well-being and preventing the detrimental effects of thiamine deficiency.

Popular Topics

How to help your child retain strength throughout the day

Reviewed By Apurva Surve, Sports Nutritionist

Article | 4 mins

What is Vitamin D deficiency? Spotting early signs of Vitamin D deficiency

Reviewed By Divya Gandhi, Dietitian

Article | 4 mins

Understanding How Vitamin D Leads to Strength

Reviewed By Kejal Shah, Nutrition Expert

Article | 4 mins

How Vitamin D plays a Role in Building Strength for Various Sports

Reviewed By Kejal Shah, Nutrition Expert

Article | 4 mins

Sign of vitamin B1 Deficiency

1. Loss of appetite

Deficiency of vitamin B1 can lead to loss of appetite, which can be categorised as an early symptom of thiamine deficiency. Further loss of appetite can lead to weight loss for kids. Vitamin B1 is the key ingredient that signals the brain regarding hunger and fullness cues. Inadequate thiamine stores may disrupt how well this process works, making the kids feel full even when they may not be.

2. Fatigue

Fatigue is also an early sign of vitamin B1, this may quickly overpower the kid. It can occur within just a few weeks of deficiency. This symptom makes sense, given the role of thiamine in converting food into energy. Not having enough thiamine in the body means it cannot produce as much energy as fuel.

3. Irritability

This deficiency can lead to mood swings. Feeling irritable is often among the earliest signs of thiamine deficiency, and it may present alongside fatigue within just a few weeks 

4. Nerve damage

Nerve damage is one of the severe signs of vitamin B1 deficiency (beriberi), also known as neuropathy. Neuropathy from thiamine deficiency was among the first deficiency syndromes identified in humans.

Two types of beriberi can occur:

• Wet beriberi includes heart failure; it is considered an emergency and can lead to death within a few days if not treated.
• Dry beriberi occurs without heart failure. 

5. Tingling arms and legs

The sensation of prickliness and “pins and needles” in your arms and legs is also called paresthesia. This symptom is severe beriberi, and it can also be an earlier symptom of thiamine deficiency. It generally comes before more widespread, brain-related symptoms 

6. Blurry vision

Vitamin B1 helps maintain healthy nerves, so the deficiency can affect the optic nerve. Specifically, this can cause optic nerve swelling, leading to blurred vision. Left untreated, optic nerve damage can eventually result in vision loss.

7. Nausea and vomiting

Fatigue and irritability, nausea and vomiting can be nonspecific symptoms of many conditions, including thiamine deficiency. These digestive symptoms are more common among people with a thiamine deficiency–related condition called Wernicke encephalopathy. 

Long-term effects of vitamin B1 Deficiency

Vitamin B1, or thiamine, is an essential nutrient crucial for properly functioning the nervous system, heart, and brain. 

When children experience a prolonged deficiency of this vital vitamin, the consequences can be severe and far-reaching. The nerves may become damaged without adequate thiamine, leading to numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. 

Heart health can also be affected, potentially causing irregular heartbeats, and decreased pumping ability. Furthermore, the brain may not develop normally, potentially resulting in cognitive impairments, memory problems, and even psychosis in extreme cases. 

Addressing vitamin B1 deficiency early is crucial to prevent these debilitating long-term effects and ensure a child's healthy growth and development.

How to treat Vitamin B1 Deficiency?

The best way to avoid thiamine deficiency is through prevention. The ideal approach is to eat a diet that includes plenty of foods high in vitamin B1. By regularly consuming these foods, you can avoid and maintain adequate levels of the vitamin in your kid's system. This helps ensure the body functions properly and avoids the negative health effects that can come with thiamine deficiency. 

Maintaining a balanced diet with foods rich in vitamin B1, like eggs, spinach, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and chicken, is better. This way parents can make sure that the vitamin B1 levels are adequate in their body.