ABSTRACT
This study is a preliminary determination of thiamine status in children with diarrhea and metabolic acidosis admitted to hospital. Children with diarrhea (N = 14; age 2 m-6 yr) were divided into 2 groups according to anion gap type; group 1 (21.4%) with a normal anion gap (5.5 +/- 5.2 mmol/l) and group 2 (78.6%) with a wide anion gap (21.2 +/- 5.2 mmol/l). Blood was taken on the day of admission to determine thiamine and lactate levels. Sixty-six point seven percent of patients in group 1 had a normal lactate level (1.5 +/- 0.8 mmol/l) and 33.3% had a high lactate level (2.2 mmol/l); none had thiamine deficiency (TPPE < 20%). High lactate (3.5 +/- 1.4 mmol/l) was found in 54.5% of group 2 and thiamine deficiency was observed in 18.2% of this group. In conclusion, no thiamine deficiency was noted in patients with normal anion gap, but thiamine deficiency was not uncommon in patients with a wide anion gap, regardless of lactic acidosis.
Subject(s)
Acidosis, Lactic/etiology , Acute Disease , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , Diarrhea/blood , Female , Humans , Infant , Lactic Acid/analysis , Male , Thailand , Thiamine Deficiency/bloodABSTRACT
A study was carried out to determine whether thiamine deficiency in northeast Thailand is linked with parasitic infection. We assessed the thiamine status and tested for parasitic infections in 231 children between 6 and 12 years of age in Nam Phong District of Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. Thiamine deficiency [thiamine pyrophosphate effect (TPPE) > 20%] and parasitic infections (mostly Strongyloides stercoralis) were identified in 16 and 45% of the children, respectively. No association between thiamine deficiency and parasitic infection was found. The general health of the children, according to Thai standard anthropometric curves, was within the normal range. The suboptimal thiamine status and the high prevalence of parasitic infection require attention.