Clinical and neurological findings of severe vitamin B12 deficiency in infancy and importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Issue 10 (18th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Demir, Nihat; Koc, Ahmet; Üstyol, Lokman; Peker, Erdal; Abuhandan, Mahmut
• Is Part Of: Journal of paediatrics and child health. Volume 49:Issue 10(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 820
• Page End: 824
• Publication Date: 2013-06-18
• Subjects: Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12292
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1034-4810

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jpc12292-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>Nutritional vitamin B<sub>12</sub> deficiency among children in developing countries may lead to a severe clinical status. In this article, the clinical manifestations of vitamin B<sub>12</sub> deficiency and the consequences of delay in its diagnosis have been evaluated.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12292-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A total of 41 patients who were hospitalised and treated with the diagnosis of severe vitamin B<sub>12</sub> deficiency in the paediatric haematology department of the hospital were enrolled in the trial. The diagnosis of severe vitamin B<sub>12</sub> deficiency was based on haematological values, a serum vitamin B<sub>12</sub> level of <100 pg/mL and a normal level of folic acid. Mental, neuro‐motor and social developments of the enrolled patients were assessed by the same physician using the Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12292-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The mean age of 25 male and 16 female patients was determined as 12 (6–18 months) months. Almost all of the children had been fed with breast milk and a poor nutritional state was found in all of the mothers. Non‐specific findings such as growth retardation (78%), hyperpigmentation of the skin (78%), diarrhoea (63.4%), convulsion (14.6%), weakness, reluctance to eat, vomiting, irritability and tremor were found in all the patients, in addition to hypotonia, motor retardation and pallor. Treatment with vitamin B<sub>12</sub> provided recovery in all the patients. The mean age of the patients with full recovery was 11.7 months, while the mean age of patients with partial recovery was 12.9 months.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12292-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>As a delay in the diagnosis causes irreversible neurological damage, early diagnosis and treatment is highly important.</p> </sec> </abstract>