Vnitr Lek 2026, 72(6):413-419 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2026.075

Thiamine deficiency syndromes - case report and overview

Jiří Müller^{1, 2}, Jaroslav Raděj¹, Lenka Valešová¹, Miroslav Kříž¹, Roman Pavlík¹, Alena Vondráková³, Martin Matějovič^{1, 2}

¹ Jednotka intenzivní péče, I. interní klinika, Fakultní nemocnice Plzeň a Lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Plzeň

² Lékařská fakulta a Biomedicínské centrum, Univerzita Karlova, Plzeň

³ Klinika zobrazovacích metod, Fakultní nemocnice Plzeň a Lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Plzeň

Thiamine (vitamin B1) is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a pivotal role as a cofactor for enzymes involved in energy metabolism. Its deficiency can result in the development of heterogeneous and complex syndromes, primarily characterised by impaired nervous and cardiovascular system. Timely diagnosis and treatment of these potentially life-threatening conditions are often delayed due to the incomplete or atypical clinical presentation and the lack of accessible and reliable methods for determining vitamin B1 levels. The objective of this case report, which details a critically ill female patient with advanced central nervous system involvement, is to emphasise thiamine deficiency syndromes as a serious yet preventable complication in specific high-risk population groups.

Keywords: thiamine, vitamin B1, Beriberi, Wernicke encephalopathy, malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, micronutrients, critically-ill patient.

Accepted: September 15, 2026; Published: October 2, 2026  Show citation