CLINICAL ASPECTS OF DIETARY DEPLETION OF RIBOFLAVIN

Abstract

THE CONCEPT of riboflavin deficiency in man as a syndrome characterized by angular stomatitis, a sore, magenta tongue, seborrheic dermatitis about the nose and scrotum and vascularization of the cornea has been generally accepted since the publication of the findings of Sebrell and Butler¹in 1938. In general these confirmed earlier reports by Stannus²and other observers. However, review of the various diets and circumstances suggests that multiple vitamin and amino acid deficiencies were involved. It was the purpose of this study to attempt to create and study a pure riboflavin deficiency in controlled circumstances. A summary of this project,³an analysis of the urinary excretion of riboflavin⁴and a description of the dietary management of such a study⁵have previously been reported. The present paper is chiefly concerned with the clinical findings. HISTORICAL REVIEW The first description of the clinical findings, which have subsequently