Biotin deficiency
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| Biotin deficiency Classification and external resources |
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| Biotin | |
| ICD-10 | E53.8 |
| ICD-9 | 266.2 |
| eMedicine | ped/238 |
Biotin deficiency is a rare nutritional disorder which can become serious, even fatal, if allowed to progress untreated. It can occur in people of any age, ancestry, or gender.
Biotin deficiency rarely occurs among healthy people, since the daily requirement of biotin is low, many foods provide adequate amounts of it, intestinal bacteria synthesize small amounts of it, and the body effectively scavenges and recycles it from bodily waste. However, deficiencies can be caused by consuming raw egg whites over a period of months to years. Egg whites contain high levels of avidin, a protein that binds biotin strongly. When cooked, avidin is denatured and becomes entirely non-toxic.
[edit] Symptoms
Initial symptoms of biotin deficiency include:
- Dry skin
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Fungal infections
- Rashes including red, patchy ones near the mouth (erythematous periorofacial macular rash)
- Fine and brittle hair
- Hair loss or total baldness (alopecia)
If left untreated, neurological symptoms can develop, including:
- Mild depression, which may progress to profound lassitude and, eventually, to somnolence
- Changes in mental status
- Generalized muscular pains (myalgias)
- Hyperesthesias and paresthesias
[edit] Treatment
Biotin deficiency is easily corrected by biotin tablets, which are inexpensive and readily available. If overconsumption of raw egg whites is responsible, a change in diet may be appropriate.
[edit] See also
- Biotinidase deficiency, which is not due to inadequate biotin, but rather to a deficiency in the enzymes which process it.
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