Thiamine Deficiency Induced Remarkable Pulmonary Hypertension in an Infant

Abstract

Beriberi-heart disease is rare in advanced countries, so accurate diagnosis may be elusive. We present the case of a 2 year-old girl with mild mental developmental disability who developed beriberi-heart disease, presenting with dyspnea, right-sided heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension after she caught a cold. This patient was abnormally fastidious about her food and fluid intake： she would not eat almost exclusively. When admitted to our hospital, her serum thiamine level was remarkably depressed. We were certain she was free from other diseases that can cause pulmonary hypertension. After receiving a thiamine supplement, cardiac function was improved and pulmonary pressure became normal. Neurological symptoms (e.g. hypotonia, lack of deep tendon reflex) also improved. This patient appeared to have secondary pulmonary hypertension induced by thiamine deficiency, based on a complete cure after nutritional status improved.