THIAMINE DEFICIENCY (BERIBERI) IN THE MODERN LIFE STYLE OF JAPANEASE CHILDREN: DETECTION BY URINARY ORGANIC ACIDS ANALYSIS

脚气病是由饮食中缺乏必需的维生素B1(硫胺素)引起的。虽然脚气病被认为是一种历史上的疾病，但我们最近使用尿液有机酸分析确定了27名日本脚气病婴儿。维生素B1缺乏可能是由于摄入过多的等张饮料或过度限制饮食所致。此外，我们还发现了许多生物素缺乏和/或肉碱缺乏的儿童，他们曾接受过特殊的过敏或抗生素配方治疗。这些维生素缺乏是在日本现代生活下造成的。我们应该关注这些障碍。

Beriberi is caused by dietary deficit of the essential vitamin B1 (thiamine). Although beriberi is considered as a historical disease, we recently identified 27 Japanese beriberi infants using urinary organic acids analysis. The vitamin B1 deficiency could result from excessive intake of isotonic drink or over-restricted diets. In addition, we found many children with biotin deficiency and/or carnitine deficiency, who had been treated with special formula for allergy or antibiotics. These vitamin deficiencies are caused under the modern life in Japan. We should pay attention for these disorders.