Ariboflavinosis: The Disease Caused by a Deficiency of Riboflavin

December 30, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, while severe riboflavin deficiency is rare in developed countries, it is still a significant health concern in regions with poor dietary intake. This condition, known as ariboflavinosis, is the disease caused by a deficiency of riboflavin and can lead to a range of skin, oral, and eye-related problems.

Quick Summary

Ariboflavinosis, also called vitamin B2 deficiency, is a disease causing cracked lips, angular cheilitis, sore tongue, and skin lesions, often presenting with other nutrient deficiencies.

Key Points

Disease Name: A deficiency of riboflavin (vitamin B2) causes ariboflavinosis.
Symptoms: Key symptoms include angular stomatitis, cheilosis, glossitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Eye Issues: Ariboflavinosis can cause light sensitivity and, in severe cases, cataracts.
Causes: Insufficient diet, malabsorption, alcoholism, and genetic disorders are risk factors.
Treatment: Oral riboflavin supplements are the primary treatment.
Prevention: Eating riboflavin-rich foods like dairy, meat, eggs, and fortified grains helps prevent deficiency.

What is Ariboflavinosis?

Ariboflavinosis is the medical term for the disease caused by a deficiency of riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2. Riboflavin is a vital water-soluble vitamin necessary for cellular functions, growth, and energy metabolism. It is a precursor to coenzymes (FAD and FMN) critical for numerous bodily reactions. Insufficient riboflavin intake impairs these processes, leading to ariboflavinosis. This condition frequently co-occurs with other B vitamin deficiencies, especially in cases of generalized malnutrition. Early symptoms are reversible with treatment, though some advanced issues, like cataracts, may be permanent.

Key Symptoms and Manifestations

The symptoms of ariboflavinosis affect various parts of the body, including the skin, mouth, and eyes. Key indicators include painful cracks at the mouth corners (angular stomatitis), cracked and swollen lips (cheilosis), and an inflamed, often magenta-colored tongue (glossitis). Oily, scaly rashes (seborrheic dermatitis) can appear on the face, scalp, and groin. Eye problems include itchy, watery, red eyes sensitive to light. Severe, prolonged deficiency can cause corneal blood vessel growth and cataracts. Ariboflavinosis can also lead to anemia and fatigue due to riboflavin's role in iron metabolism and energy production. Severe, chronic cases may result in neurological issues.

Causes of Riboflavin Deficiency

A deficiency can stem from insufficient dietary intake or issues with absorption and utilization. Risk factors include low riboflavin intake, more common in developing regions or among vegetarians/vegans. Medical conditions like malabsorption syndromes, liver disorders, and endocrine abnormalities can impair absorption or utilization. Lifestyle factors such as chronic alcoholism and certain long-term medications can also interfere with riboflavin levels. A rare genetic disorder, Riboflavin Transporter Deficiency (RTD), prevents proper absorption and transport.

Comparison of Vitamin B Deficiencies

Riboflavin deficiency often occurs with other nutritional issues. Compare ariboflavinosis with a deficiency of vitamin B1 (Thiamin), known as Beriberi:


Feature	Ariboflavinosis (Riboflavin/B2 Deficiency)	Beriberi (Thiamin/B1 Deficiency)
Primary Symptoms	Oral lesions (cheilosis, glossitis), skin rashes (dermatitis), eye irritation, anemia	Nerve and muscle abnormalities, heart problems, brain issues like confusion and memory loss
Oral Manifestations	Angular stomatitis, cheilosis, and a magenta-colored tongue are common	Less prominent, but severe cases may affect swallowing and speech
Organ Systems Affected	Primarily skin, mucous membranes, and eyes; potentially liver and nervous system with prolonged deficiency	Nerves, muscles, heart, and brain
Progression	Reversible in early stages with supplementation, but some anatomical changes are permanent	Dry beriberi affects nerves, wet beriberi affects the heart; can lead to heart failure
Associated Factors	Malnutrition, alcoholism, malabsorption, genetic transporter issues	Diets high in processed carbohydrates, alcoholism

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis usually starts with a clinical evaluation and dietary review. Laboratory tests (e.g., urinary riboflavin excretion, red blood cell enzyme activity) or a therapeutic trial may be needed. Oral riboflavin supplements are the standard treatment, with intramuscular administration for severe cases or absorption issues. Addressing underlying causes is also crucial. High-dose riboflavin is used for conditions like RTD.

Prevention: How to Get Enough Riboflavin

Preventing ariboflavinosis involves ensuring adequate riboflavin intake through a balanced diet. The Recommended Daily Allowance for adults is typically 1.1-1.3 mg, with higher requirements for pregnant and lactating women.

Dietary Sources of Riboflavin

Foods rich in riboflavin include dairy products, meat, eggs, fortified cereals, and green vegetables.

Conclusion

A deficiency of riboflavin causes a disease called ariboflavinosis, characterized by oral, skin, and eye problems. Risk factors include malnutrition, alcoholism, and genetic disorders. Early diagnosis and treatment with supplements can reverse symptoms and prevent long-term issues. A diet rich in riboflavin is the best prevention.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. {Link: NIH Fact Sheet on Riboflavin https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Riboflavin-HealthProfessional/}

Frequently Asked Questions

The disease name for a riboflavin deficiency is ariboflavinosis. While the deficiency can cause several specific symptoms like cheilosis, ariboflavinosis refers to the overall condition.

The most visible symptoms are often oral and dermatological, including painful cracks at the corners of the mouth (angular stomatitis), swollen and cracked lips (cheilosis), a magenta-colored tongue (glossitis), and scaly skin rashes.

People at higher risk include chronic alcoholics, vegans, pregnant and lactating women, individuals with malabsorption disorders, and those with rare genetic conditions affecting riboflavin transport.

Yes, riboflavin deficiency can cause eye-related issues such as itchy, watery, and red eyes that are sensitive to light. In severe, prolonged cases, it can also lead to the formation of cataracts.

In most cases, ariboflavinosis can be reversed with riboflavin supplementation, especially when caught early. However, some long-term anatomical changes, such as cataracts, may not be fully reversible.

To prevent deficiency, you can consume foods rich in riboflavin, including milk and dairy products, meat (especially liver), eggs, fortified cereals, and certain green vegetables.

Diagnosis is typically based on a clinical assessment of symptoms, but it can be confirmed through laboratory tests that measure riboflavin excretion in the urine or through a therapeutic trial with supplements.