Question

Beriberi occurs due to deficiency of

• A. Vitamin B1
• B. Vitamin B2
• C. Vitamin B3
• D. Vitamin B6

Hint:

Many diseases are caused by the lack of a specific vitamin. Knowing the vitamin–deficiency disease pairs is essential, and beriberi is a classic example.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Know the vitamin B deficiency diseases.
Each B vitamin, when deficient, causes a characteristic disease. This is a common recall question in pharmacy examinations.

Step 2: What is Beriberi?
Beriberi is a disease of the nervous system and/or cardiovascular system caused by deficiency of Vitamin B₁ (Thiamine). Wet beriberi affects the heart (cardiac failure, oedema). Dry beriberi affects the peripheral nerves (numbness, weakness).

Step 3: The biochemical link.
Thiamine is a coenzyme for pyruvate dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. Without it, glucose cannot be fully oxidised, depriving the nervous system and heart of energy.

Step 4: Why not the other vitamins?
Vitamin B₂ (Riboflavin) deficiency causes ariboflavinosis (cheilosis, glossitis). Vitamin B₃ (Niacin) deficiency causes Pellagra (4 D's: Dermatitis, Diarrhoea, Dementia, Death). Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine) deficiency causes peripheral neuropathy and seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Step 5: Conclude.
Beriberi is the classic deficiency disease of Vitamin B₁ (Thiamine), making it a direct factual recall.

Answer: Option (1) — Vitamin B1