vitamin B6 deficiency
Last reviewed 01/2018
Dietary deficiency of vitamin B6 is very rare, being associated with:
- malabsorption e.g. coeliac disease
- drugs which antagonize vitamin B6 e.g. hydralazine
The most common deficiency symptom is dermatitis of the eyes, nose, and mouth. There is mental confusion, glossitis and peripheral neuropathy.
There are number of metabolic disorders in which pyridoxine deficiency is associated with infantile convulsions and sideroblastic anaemia.
Treatment of deficiency in adults is by 5-20 mg doses daily.