A 20-year-old woman presents with sore mouth, angular stomatitis, glossitis with a magenta-colored tongue, and corneal vascularization. She avoids milk, eggs, and green vegetables. Deficiency of which vitamin best explains this presentation?
- A Niacin
- B Pyridoxine
- C Riboflavin ✓
- D Pantothenic acid
Correct answer: C. Riboflavin
Explanation
The combination of angular cheilitis, magenta glossitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and corneal vascularization is characteristic of riboflavin (B2) deficiency. Riboflavin is converted to FMN and FAD, which serve as electron carriers in flavoprotein dehydrogenases and oxidases of energy metabolism. Niacin deficiency produces pellagra with dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia but not corneal vascularization. Corneal vascularization is the finding that most specifically points to riboflavin among these options.
Reference: Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, 32nd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.