Role of vitamin E in the aetiology of phrynoderma (follicular hyperkeratosis) and its interrelationship with B-complex vitamins.

1. A study was undertaken to investigate the role of vitamin E in the aetiology of phrynoderma (follicular hyperkeratosis). Fifty-six children with the disease and twenty-one normal children were investigated for this purpose. 2. Plasma vitamin E levels (mean +/- SE; mg/l) were found to be low in phrynoderma (3.7 +/- 0.19) in contrast with normal children (6.6 +/- 0.40) and therapy with a combination of vitamin E and B-complex brought about complete cure. 3. The increase in plasma vitamin E levels after the administration of vitamin E at a dose of 100 mg three times daily for 4 weeks was higher than that obtained when vitamin E at the same dose was administered together with vitamin B-complex for 4 weeks, suggesting an interaction between the two vitamins. Further studies are necessary to find out the exact nature of this interrelationship.