Follow-Up:
PROPERTIES AND USES Riboflavin has been used effectively in treating the following symptoms of deficiencies: soreness and burning of the lips, mouth, and tongue; fissures and cracks in the lips, a purple, swollen tongue; and possible anemia. Riboflavin needs increase during growth, pregnancy, wound healing, and lactation. This phenomenon is related to the fact that riboflavin plays a role in protein metabolism, which is increased during these periods. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFICIENCY Early signs of riboflavin deficiency are: soreness and burning of the lips, mouth, and tongue; fissures and cracks in the lips; a purple, swollen tongue; burning and itching of the eyes; photophobia; a loss of visual acuity; and possible anemia. Individuals who ingest a diet devoid of animal protein sources and green leafy vegetables are prone to ariboflavinosis, a severe riboflavin deficiency. If the intake of riboflavin is low for several months, the following symptoms will appear: cheilosis; angular stomatitis (cracks in the skin at the corners of the mouth); a greasy eruption on the skin of the nasolabial folds and scrotum; capillary overgrowth around the cornea of the eye; and a purplish, swollen tongue. Riboflavin deficiency rarely appears alone; most often it appears in conjunction with multiple nutritional deficiencies. This makes diagnosis quite difficult, especially as niacin, iron, and pyridoxine deficiencies mimic the symptoms of riboflavin deficiency. Ocular manifestations such as photophobia and itching, burning, and redness of the eyes, are believed to be the earliest signs of riboflavin deficiency. Urinary excretion of riboflavin can confirm diagnosis.