Ariboflavinosis, or hyporiboflavinosis, is a condition caused by a deficiency of riboflavin, which is responsible for promoting growth in humans. It is usually linked to consuming small amounts of riboflavin-containing foods and is associated with protein-energy malnutrition. Symptoms include lesions on the corners of the mouth or lips, inflammation of the mucous lining of the mouth, and a light purplish-red tongue. The condition can be treated by balancing the diet with foods rich in riboflavin or by taking supplemental doses of vitamin B2.
Ariboflavinosis is a condition characterized by a deficiency of riboflavin. It is also called hyporiboflavinosis. Initially, ariboflavinosis was known by the Latin term pellagra sin pellagra, which means “pellagra without pellagra”. This is because the condition generates similar signs to pellagra, which is a deficiency of niacin or vitamin B3.
Riboflavin, also known as lactoflavin or vitamin B2, is responsible for promoting growth in humans. It can be found in foods such as milk, eggs and green leafy vegetables. Thus, ariboflavinosis is usually linked to consuming small amounts of riboflavin-containing foods.
More specifically, ariboflavinosis is associated with protein-energy malnutrition, which indicates inadequate protein intake. This form of malnutrition includes kwashiorkor and marasmus; the latter is similar to kwashiorkor but with insufficient caloric intake. Ariboflavinosis tends to occur in regions where people depend on foods that lack riboflavin or do not consume enough riboflavin-containing foods. For example, some countries in Asia and the Caribbean have diets that mostly include foods like rice or corn, items that contain no riboflavin at all. Protein-energy malnutrition is most severe in some African countries.
Some doctors have cited alcoholism as a cause of ariboflavinosis. This is because excessive drinking can destroy the liver, after which the damaged organ is unable to use riboflavin properly. Antiretroviral drugs or drugs used to treat retrovirus infection such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are also known to trigger riboflavin deficiency. An inadequate diet, however, remains the main cause of ariboflavinosis.
A person with ariboflavinosis typically has angular cheilitis, which is characterized by lesions on the corners of the mouth or lips; and stomatitis, or inflammation of the mucous lining of the mouth. Other symptoms of the condition include light purplish-red tongue, sore throat, and bloodshot or itchy eyes. In more extreme cases, the patient may have anemia or a reduction in the number of red blood cells; or seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin condition characterized by skin with white or yellow flaky scales.
Ariboflavinosis can be conquered by sufferers by balancing the diet with foods rich in riboflavin. In some cases, doctors may prescribe supplemental doses of vitamin B2 or combine it with other vitamins. The Institute of Medicine, a non-profit non-governmental organization under the US National Academy of Sciences, recommends a daily riboflavin range of 1.1 to 1.3 milligrams for healthy adults.
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