Epidemiology

In the developed world, vitamin B1 deficiency presenting as Wernicke's encephalopathy occurs mainly in those who chronically misuse alcohol, particularly in the context of poor nutritional intake.[3][11]​​

Vitamin B1 deficiency in infants and children is extremely rare in the developed world as there is access to thiamine‐rich food and adequate intake.[10] Vitamin B1 deficiency is thought to be more prevalent in some low- and middle-income countries where diets are low in thiamine. There may be increased prevalence of vitamin B1 deficiency, especially infantile beriberi, in countries in Southeast Asia where there is a high consumption of thiamine-depleted polished rice.[10][12]​​​ Vitamin B1 deficiency may also be prevalent in some African nations where cassava root (a poor source of thiamine) is a primary source of energy, some areas of the Americas, and in regions where conditions such as famine and displacement lead to food insecurity, especially in individuals with an increased metabolic need (e.g., pregnancy, infancy, critical illness).[10][12]​​

Lack of standardisation in data from different laboratories and assay methods and lack of consensus on clinical case definitions complicates assessment of the global prevalence of thiamine deficiency disorders.[10][12]

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