Vitamin
deficiency
Ø Vitamin A deficiency can cause keratomalacia.
Ø Thiamine (vitamin B1)
deficiency causes beriberi and Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome.
Ø Riboflavin (vitamin
B2) deficiency causes ariboflavinosis.
Ø Niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency causes pellagra.
Ø Pantothenic acid (vitamin
B5) deficiency causes chronic paresthesia.
Ø Vitamin B6
Ø Biotin (vitamin B7) deficiency negatively affects
fertility and hair/skin growth. Deficiency can be caused by poor diet or
genetic factors (such as mutations in the BTDgene,
see multiple carboxylase deficiency).
Ø Folate (vitamin B9) deficiency is associated with
numerous health problems. Fortification of certain foods with folate has
drastically reduced the incidence of neural tube defects in
countries where such fortification takes place. Deficiency can result from poor
diet or genetic factors (such as mutations in the MTHFR gene
that lead to compromised folate metabolism).
Ø Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
deficiency can lead to pernicious anemia, megaloblastic anemia, subacute
combined degeneration of spinal cord, and methylmalonic acidemia among
other conditions.
Ø Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) short-term deficiency can lead
to weakness, weight loss and general aches and pains. Longer-term depletion may
affect the connective tissue. Persistent vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy.
Ø Vitamin D (cholecalciferol)
deficiency is a known cause of rickets, and has been linked to numerous health problems.
Ø Vitamin E deficiency
causes nerve problems due to poor conduction of electrical impulses along
nerves due to changes in nerve membrane structure and function.
Ø Vitamin K (phylloquinone
or menaquinone) deficiency causes impaired coagulation and has also been implicated in osteoporosis
