Which vitamin deficiency is linked to the development of beriberi?

The development of beriberi is specifically associated with a deficiency in Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin. Thiamin plays a crucial role in carbohydrate metabolism and is essential for the proper functioning of enzymes that convert carbohydrates into energy. When there is an insufficient intake of thiamin, it affects the body's ability to produce energy, leading to the symptoms of beriberi, which can present as neurological and cardiovascular issues.

Beriberi can manifest in different forms, such as wet beriberi, which primarily affects the cardiovascular system, and dry beriberi, which affects the nervous system. This direct connection between thiamin deficiency and the disease is well-documented and highlights the importance of this vitamin in maintaining essential bodily functions, particularly in populations that consume high amounts of carbohydrates without adequate sources of thiamin.

The other vitamins listed—riboflavin, niacin, and cobalamin—have their own specific deficiencies associated with different health issues, such as ariboflavinosis, pellagra, and pernicious anemia, respectively, but they are not related to the condition of beriberi. This specificity underscores why Vitamin B1 is the key nutrient linked to this particular condition.