Overview :

Deficiency of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is rare. It can result in a variety of clinical findings.

Pathologic changes:

(1) oral

(2) dermal

(3) neurologic

(4) hematologic

Oral changes:

(1) glossitis

(2) angular stomatitis

(3) cheilosis

Skin changes:

(1) seborrheic dermatitis in the nasolabial fold, cheeks, neck, ears, and perineum

(2) blepharitis

where:

• Angular stomatitis = superficial erosions or fissures at the angles of the mouth

• Cheilosis = dry scaling and fissuring of the vermillion surfaces of the lips

• Blepharitis = inflammation of the eyelids

Neurologic changes:

(1) peripheral neuropathy

(2) irritability

(3) seizures in children

(4) depression

(5) confusion

(6) an abnormal EEG

Hematologic change:

(1) hypochromic, microcytic anemia (pyridoxine-responsive)

Cervantes-Laurean D, McElvaney NG, Moss J. Chapter 23: Niacin. pages 401-411 (page 418). IN: Shils ME, Olson JA, et al (editors). Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, Ninth Edition. Williams & Wilkins. 1999.

McLaren DS. Chapter 30: Clinical manifestations of human vitamin and mineral disorders: A resume. pages 485-503 (page 493). IN: Shils ME, Olson JA, et al (editors). Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, Ninth Edition. Williams & Wilkins. 1999.

Sauberlich HE. Laboratory Tests for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, Second Edition. CRC Press. 1999. page 72.