Vitamins >> Vitamin B2: (Riboflavin) deficiency

Ariboflavinosis is the medical name for clinical riboflavin deficiency. Riboflavin deficiency is rarely found in isolation; it occurs frequently in combination with deficiencies of other water-soluble vitamins. Symptoms of riboflavin deficiency include sore throat, redness and swelling of the lining of the mouth and throat, cracks or sores on the outsides of the lips (cheliosis) and at the corners of the mouth (angular stomatitis), inflammation and redness of the tongue (magenta tongue), a moist, scaly skin inflammation (seborrheic dermatitis), the formation of blood vessels in the clear covering of the eye (vascularization of the cornea), and decreased red blood cell count in which the existing red blood cells contain normal levels of hemoglobin and are of normal size (normochromic normocytic anemia). Severe riboflavin deficiency may result in decreased conversion of vitamin B₆ to its coenzyme form (PLP) and decreased conversion of tryptophan to niacin (see Nutrient Interactions).

Preeclampsia is defined as the presence of elevated blood pressure, protein in the urine, and edema (significant swelling) during pregnancy. About 5 % of women with preeclampsia may progress to eclampsia, a significant cause of maternal death. Eclampsia is characterized by seizures, in addition to high blood pressure and increased risk of hemorrhage (severe bleeding). A study of 154 pregnant women at increased risk of preeclampsia found that those who were riboflavin deficient were 4.7 times more likely to develop preeclampsia than those who had adequate riboflavin nutritional status. The cause of preeclampsia-eclampsia is not known. Decreased intracellular levels of flavin coenzymes could affect mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and blood vessel dilation, which have all been associated with preeclampsia.

Risk factors for riboflavin deficiency 

The use of specialized light therapy to treat jaundice in newborns increases the destruction of riboflavin and is a recognized cause of riboflavin deficiency. Alcoholics are at increased risk for riboflavin deficiency due to decreased intake, decreased absorption, and impaired utilization of riboflavin. Anorexic individuals rarely consume adequate riboflavin. Lactose intolerance may prevent people from consuming milk or dairy products, which are good sources of riboflavin. The conversion of riboflavin into FAD and FMN is impaired by hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. People who are very active physically (athletes, laborers) may have a slightly increased riboflavin requirement. However, riboflavin supplementation has not generally been found to increase exercise tolerance or performance.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)

The RDA for riboflavin, revised in 1998, was based on the prevention of deficiency. Clinical signs of deficiency in humans appear at intakes of less than 0.5-0.6 milligrams (mg)/day, and excess urinary excretion of riboflavin is seen at intake levels of approximately 1 mg/day.

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