Megaloblastic anemia is a common feature between 6 months – 2 years and rarely occurs after 5 years of age, especially in a child consuming non-vegetarian diet. B12 deficiency may occur after 5 years of age because of chronic diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome, or intestinal surgical causes. Pernicious anemia causes B12 deficiency, but nutritional B12 deficiency with subacute combined degeneration causing ataxia is rare.