VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY IN CHILDOOD: A SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Purpose: Vitamin B12 is an essential micronutrient for neurodevelopment, growth and erythropoiesis of the human body. Deficiency is a common public health problem affecting young children; leading to neuropsychiatric and hematologic disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the rate and clinical findings of B12 deficiency among a sample of well children in a city located of middle northern Turkey. Methods: The study was carried out in the pediatric outpatient clinics of a tertiary health-care center in middle-northern Turkey between November 1, 2019 and May 31, 2022. The medical records about age, gender, clinical history and laboratory data were retrieved from the hospital information system, retrospectively. Results were presented as percentages and fractional data after the analyses based on software. Results: The study group consisted of 240 participants aged between 1-6 years old, 42.9% (n=103) of them were boys. The rate of vitamin B12 deficiency (<250 pg/ml) was 18.3% (n=44). Anemia was detected in 50 (20.8%) and macrocytosis was present in 31 (12.9%) of the participants. Constitutional symptoms were the most common reason of hospital administration (n=89; 37.1%) and vitamin B12 deficiency was mostly presented by constitutional symptoms (n=17; 38.6%). Conclusion: Vitamin B12 is a public health problem in children which can be prevented. Clinical suspicions should lead clinicians for ordering blood tests because accompanying problems may veil vitamin B12 deficiency. Screening programs can be carried out to prevent permanent neurologic complications in vulnerable populations.

Keywords

• Childhood
• Deficiency
• Vitamin B12

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