What health condition is characterized by a deficiency in thiamine?

Beriberi is the health condition characterized by a deficiency in thiamine, also known as vitamin B1. This vitamin is essential for carbohydrate metabolism and plays a key role in nerve function. When there is insufficient thiamine in the diet, individuals can develop symptoms such as weakness, pain in the limbs, and difficulty in walking, among other neurological and cardiovascular issues.

Thiamine deficiency can lead to two main forms of beriberi: wet and dry. Wet beriberi primarily affects the cardiovascular system, leading to symptoms such as swelling and heart complications, while dry beriberi primarily affects the nervous system, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy.

The other conditions mentioned do not relate to thiamine deficiency. Scurvy is caused by a deficiency in vitamin C, rickets results from insufficient vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate, and pellagra is associated with a lack of niacin, or vitamin B3. Understanding these connections helps to discern the specific vitamin deficiencies that lead to various health conditions.