PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases (Feb 2011)

Clinically unapparent infantile thiamin deficiency in Vientiane, Laos.

  • Sengmanivong Khounnorath,
  • Karen Chamberlain,
  • Ann M Taylor,
  • Douangdao Soukaloun,
  • Mayfong Mayxay,
  • Sue J Lee,
  • Bounthom Phengdy,
  • Khonsavanh Luangxay,
  • Kongkham Sisouk,
  • Bandit Soumphonphakdy,
  • Khaysy Latsavong,
  • Kongsin Akkhavong,
  • Nicholas J White,
  • Paul N Newton

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0000969
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 2
p. e969

Abstract

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BackgroundBeriberi occurs in Vientiane, Lao PDR, among breastfed infants. Clinical disease may be the tip of an iceberg with subclinical thiamin deficiency contributing to other illnesses. Thiamin treatment could improve outcome.Methodology/principal findingsA cohort of 778 sick infants admitted during one year without clinical evidence of beriberi were studied prospectively and erythrocyte transketolase assays (ETK) performed. Biochemical thiamin deficiency was defined both in terms of the activation coefficient (α>31%) and basal ETK activity 31% and 13.4 % basal ETKConclusions/significanceClinically unapparent thiamin deficiency is common among sick infants (≥2 months old) admitted to hospital in Vientiane. This may contribute to mortality and a low clinical threshold for providing thiamin to sick infants may be needed.