TLDR Biotin deficiency in patients on total parenteral nutrition can cause serious symptoms but can be treated with biotin supplements.
The document discussed biotin deficiency as a complication of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), highlighting its diagnosis, metabolic repercussions, and treatment. Three patients with biotin deficiency were successfully treated; all exhibited alopecia totalis, hypotonia, and developmental delay, with two showing scaly periorificial dermatitis. Diagnosis was confirmed by decreased urinary biotin excretion and increased organic acid excretion, indicating deficiencies in biotin-dependent enzymes. Treatment with biotin (100 μg/day, with one patient receiving an initial larger dose) led to dramatic improvements in symptoms, although one patient continued to show abnormal organic acid excretion. The study suggested that the standard biotin supplement for pediatric patients (20 μg/day) might be insufficient during TPN.
26 citations
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May 1984 in “Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition” Biotin supplements restored hair and resolved symptoms in a woman with biotin deficiency.
184 citations
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August 1983 in “The journal of pediatrics/The Journal of pediatrics” Biotinidase deficiency has various symptoms and can be treated with biotin supplements.
31 citations
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February 1983 in “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” Biotin deficiency can cause hair loss in adults on long-term TPN, but supplementation helps regrow hair.
74 citations
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July 1979 in “Lancet” Biotin treatment can significantly improve hair loss and motor functions in certain metabolic disorders.
73 citations
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July 1977 in “Archives of Dermatology” Applying safflower oil to the skin reversed fatty acid deficiency symptoms in 21 days.
73 citations
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May 1976 in “JAMA” Long-term parenteral nutrition without zinc can cause severe zinc deficiency.
40 citations
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August 2018 in “Skin appendage disorders” Some alternative treatments for hair loss might work, but more research is needed.
30 citations
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May 2004 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft” The document concludes that early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for children with hair loss to prevent permanent damage, although not all conditions can be effectively treated.
98 citations
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March 2019 in “Frontiers in immunology” Damaging mutations in NFKB2 cause a severe and distinct form of primary immunodeficiency with early-onset and often ACTH-deficiency.
18 citations
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April 2013 in “Inflammatory Bowel Diseases” People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease often lose hair due to stress, medication side effects, or lack of nutrients, and treatment depends on the specific cause.
10 citations
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July 2018 in “Our Dermatology Online” Some vitamins and minerals are important for preventing hair loss, but treating hair loss with them without a known deficiency is not proven effective.
