Beriberi can also appear, in breast-fed infants when the mother has an inadequate intake of thiamin or if the infant is fed unusual formulas without thiamin supplements. Deficiencies may also be found in people whose diet includes certain types of fish that produce an enzyme that inactivates thiamin. Early symptoms of beriberi are nonspecific and include fatigue , irritability, restlessness , loss of appetite , and vague abdominal discomfort . As the disease progresses, patients develop burning sensations, tingling in the extremities, and changes in sensation such as numbness . Patients may develop mental confusion and psychosis .
Death is generally a result of heart failure.
Dry beriberi is associated with energy deprivation and inactivity characterized by mental confusion, peripheral neuropathy, muscular wasting with loss of function or paralysis of the lower extremities. Wet beriberi is resultant of high carbohydrate intake along with strenuous exercise characterized by edema, tachycardia, pulmonary congestion, and enlarged heart. Prevention Adequate intake of thiamin will prevent beriberi. Nursing mothers should insure that their diet is adequate in all vitamins and be sure that infant formulas contain thiamin. The person with late-stage beriberi may be confused or psychotic .