Dry Beriberi, an Unusual Complication of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Beriberi is a rare disease caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. There are two types: dry beriberi affecting the neurologic system and wet beriberi leading to high cardiac output heart failure. In extreme cases, brain damage may occur: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. The most common risk factors for thiamine deficiency are: alcohol abuse, overt malnutrition, gastric bypass surgery, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), chronic dialysis, and cancer related cachexia.
Source: Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia - Category: Hematology Authors: Source Type: research