Infants with thiamine deficiency may develop Wernicke’s encephalopathy. The condition may be misdiagnosed if the clinician is not familiar with it. It can be fatal if the patient is not properly treated.
Causes:
(1) breast feeding by thiamine-deficient mothers
(2) thiamine deficient formula
(3) malnutrition
Classic features (triad):
(1) altered mental status (lethargy, irritability, excessive crying, confusion)
