[Scurvy with simultaneous wet beriberi in 2 patients].

Two patients developed the clinical picture of scorbut and simultaneous wet beriberi. The diagnosis was confirmed by low concentrations of ascorbic acid and thiamin and thiaminfosfate-ester in serum and in whole blood. Treatment with ascorbic acid led to a rapid reversal of scorbutic changes, but the changes due to the wet beri-beri persisted. Thiamine supplementation was given only perorally in the first patient, and a severe catabolic state in the other delayed the improvement in the beriberi. Direct determination of ascorbic acid and thiamin and thiaminfosfate-esters in serum and in whole blood may confirm the diagnosis of vitamin deficiencies.