Compromised Vitamin B12 Status of Indian Infants and Toddlers

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-437
Author(s):  
Bentu Kalyan G ◽  
Medha Mittal ◽  
Rahul Jain

Background: Vitamin B12 deficiency is prevalent worldwide especially in vegetarian communities. Its deficiency in early childhood may result in serious neurological and cognitive deficits. It is important to know the prevalence among our infants and toddlers so that nutritional policy changes could be suggested in this regard. Objective: To evaluate the vitamin B12 status of apparently healthy Indian children between 6 and 23 months of age. Methods: Apparently healthy Indian children (n = 210), of age 6 to 23 months, attending pediatric outpatient department were recruited and samples obtained to evaluate their hemogram and levels of vitamin B12, folate, and ferritin. Data were analyzed to obtain the mean levels and the proportion of participants deficient in vitamin B12. The dietary habits of the children were also analyzed and correlated with their vitamin B12 status. Results: Vitamin B12 deficiency was observed in 37.6% of the participants. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in our infants and toddlers, and there is need to initiate supplement to prevent any possible neurological consequences. Early initiation of animal milk had a positive effect on the vitamin B12 status of the child, though it was not significant.

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 204
Author(s):  
E.A. Merzon ◽  
P. Singer ◽  
R. Schneeweiss ◽  
T. Rips ◽  
E. Kitai

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 719
Author(s):  
Carlos Tavares Bello ◽  
Ricardo Miguel Capitão ◽  
João Sequeira Duarte ◽  
Jorge Azinheira ◽  
Carlos Vasconcelos

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a common disease, affecting up to 13.1% of the Portuguese population. In addition to the known micro and macrovascular complications, drug side effects constitute a major concern, leading to changes in the treatment guidelines, which favor safety over efficacy. Metformin is the first-line pharmacological treatment for most patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, it has been associated with vitamin B12 deficiency in up to 30% of treated patients. The authors describe the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in a diabetic population and explore the possible underlying factors.Material and Methods: Retrospective, observational study. Clinical and laboratory data of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients whose vitamin B12 status was evaluated in the last decade (2005 - 2016) were analyzed. Patients with known malabsorptive syndromes or having undergone bariatric surgery were excluded from the study. Statistical analysis of the data was done and the results were considered statistically significant at p values < 0.05.Results: The study included a total of 1007 patients (58% women) with a mean age of 66.4 ± 12.2 years and 11 ± 10.4 years of type 2 diabetes mellitus duration. These patients had a high prevalence of complications: diabetic renal disease 47.7%, neuropathy 9.2%, retinopathy 14.9%, coronary artery disease 8.4%, cerebrovascular disease 10.9%, and peripheral arterial disease 5.5%. Vitamin B12 deficiency (< 174 ng / dL) was present in 21.4% of the population and this subgroup was older (68.4 vs 65.8 years, p = 0.006), had a longer type 2 diabetes mellitus duration (13.35 vs 10.36 years; p = 0.001), higher prevalence of retinopathy (20.9% vs 13.3%; p = 0.005) and thyroid dysfunction (34% vs 23.7%; p = 0.002). Vitamin B12 deficiency was also more frequent in patients treated with metformin (24.7% vs 15.8%; p = 0.017), antiplatelet agents (25.4% vs 16.2%, p < 0.001), and calcium channel blockers (26.8% vs 18.2%; p = 0.001). After adjustment for possible confounders, the variables associated with B12 deficiency were: metformin, hypothyroidism, age and type 2 diabetes mellitus duration.Discussion: Despite the retrospective design, the results report a high prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in the type 2 diabetic population. This study also demonstrates that the B12 deficiency risk is higher in older people, with longer diabetes mellitus duration, hypothyroidism and treated with metformin.Conclusion: Further studies are needed to identify the risk factors for the B12 deficit. The recognition of these variables will contribute to optimize the screening and prevention of the B12 deficiency in type 2 diabetes mellitus.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 5594-5594
Author(s):  
Abdul Kareem M Al-Momen ◽  
Abdullah A. AL-Aqeel ◽  
Medical Student ◽  
Mohammed A. Aseeri ◽  
Medical Student ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine) is essential for protein synthesis, cell proliferation and optimal systemic function, particularly for nervous system and blood. Moderate vitamin B12 deficiency is common even with normal hematological parameters. Diagnosis and treatment are delayed because of non-specific symptoms, normal blood count and lack of awareness. Objectives To find out the prevalence of hidden vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with normal blood count. Materials and Methods We reviewed the results of vitamin B12 tests which were ordered for patients at King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University between 1st of January- 30thof December 2012. Those with low vitamin B12 and normal blood count were contacted and interviewed and were asked for consent to participate in this retrospective study and to answer detailed medical history questions on dietary habits, medical illnesses, gastro-intestinal surgical procedures, and long term medications. Results  Out of 3045 patients, there were 415 (155 males and 260 females, aged  36 +/- 18 years) with normal blood count, but low vitamin B12 level, which was between 40-140 pmol/l ( normal 145-637). 350 patients agreed (81 males and 170 females), but complete information was obtained only from 251 patients (71.71%). Symptoms included fatigue, tingling and numbness, impaired short-term memory, insomnia and impaired concentration. Identified causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency were as follows: 65 patients (26%) had partial gastrectomy, 12 (5%) had resection of the terminal ileum, 16 (6%) had gastric atrophy, 18 (7%) had celiac disease, 36 (14%) were vegetarians, 49 (20%) were diabetic on metformin, 47 (19%) were on proton pump inhibitors, and in 8 (3%) the cause could not be identified. Conclusion Vitamin B12 deficiency is common   even in patients with normal hematological values. There is a need for continuous  awareness program for physicians, dietitians, and general population to identify risk factors, and to implement guidelines for prevention, early detection and treatment of hidden Vitamin B12 deficiency. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2395
Author(s):  
Sara Al-Musharaf ◽  
Ghadeer S. Aljuraiban ◽  
Syed Danish Hussain ◽  
Abdullah M. Alnaami ◽  
Ponnusamy Saravanan ◽  
...  

An abnormal lipid profile is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency and lipid profile is inconclusive, with most studies conducted in unhealthy populations. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between serum vitamin B12 levels and lipid profiles in a cross-sectional study that included 341 apparently healthy Saudi women, aged 19–30 years, from different colleges at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical, and lifestyle data were collected, including diet and physical activity. Serum vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as serum B12 level of <148 pmol/L. The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was approximately 0.6%. Using multivariable linear regression models, serum vitamin B12 levels were found to be inversely associated with total cholesterol (B = −0.26; p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (B = −0.30; p < 0.001), and triglyceride (B = −0.16; p < 0.01) after adjusting for potential confounders, while obesity indices of body mass index, central obesity, and fat percentage showed no association. Therefore, we conclude that low serum vitamin B12 levels are independently associated with abnormal lipid profiles in healthy young Saudi women. Further interventional studies are needed to determine whether improving serum vitamin B12 levels in a healthy population can improve lipid profiles.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Medha Mittal ◽  
Vijayashri Bansal ◽  
Rahul Jain ◽  
Pradeep Kumar Dabla

Background: Vitamin B12 deficiency in early life can adversely affect the growth of developing brain with myriad of neurodevelopmental manifestations. At this age, the deficiency is usually the result of low maternal levels. Objectives: To assess the vitamin B12 status of healthy exclusively breast-fed Indian infants aged 1 to 6 months and their mothers. Methods: One hundred term exclusively breast-fed infants aged 1 to 6 months attending pediatric outpatient department were recruited. Hemogram, serum B12, folate, and ferritin levels were obtained from each infant–mother pair. Results: The prevalence of B12 deficiency in infants was found to be 57%. Forty-six percent of mothers were deficient. There was a positive correlation ( r = .23) between the B12 levels of the infants and their mothers. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in Indian infants and their mothers. There is an urgent need to supplement our population with vitamin B12, and the best time to do this would be antenatal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Bianchi di Carcano ◽  
◽  
Marisa Armeno

Introduction: vitamin B12 plays an essential role in growth and neurodevelopment. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a public health problem in Argentina, with a high prevalence in a highrisk population, such as pregnant women and children with a vulnerable social situation, although their omnivorous diet. Objectives: to update the information available on vitamin B12 deficiency in vulnerable populations, in order to highlight the importance of the subject, to achieve an early diagnosis and timely treatment and thus prevent irreversible complications. Results: it is important that the pediatrician knows the different types of vitamin B12 deficiency presentation and to consider it as a differential diagnosis in children with neurological symptoms, even in the absence of anemia, to achieve early interventions and diminish the burden of disease. Many researchers have concluded that an isolated marker can lead to misdiagnoses, so it is currently recommended to use at least two. Most of the treatments evaluated, agree on the administration of 1 mg of B12, for 7 to 10 days, either intramuscular or orally, followed by 3 to 11 weeks of a weekly dose. Conclusions: it is important to update data on the prevalence of B12 deficiency in our country, as well as the implementation of therapeutic interventions and preventive public policies.


Author(s):  
Amer Abu-Shanab ◽  
Malek Zihlif ◽  
Momen N. Rbeihat ◽  
Zakaria W. Shkoukani ◽  
Alia Khamis ◽  
...  

Objective: To explore (a) the risk factors associated with a deficiency of vitamin B12, and (b) the baseline (cutoff) serum level of vitamin B12 for a clinically-symptomatic deficiency in the Jordanian adult population. Background: Compared to the data available for developed countries, there is a marked scarcity of information on the levels and symptomology of vitamin B12 deficiency in developing countries, particularly in the Middle Eastern region. Methods: A total of 485 subjects were included in this study. Blood samples were drawn for biochemical analysis and data regarding socio-demographics, general health, anthropometric measures, and past medical, surgical, and medication history were collected. To explore the cut-off point, we compared all parameters included in a standard complete blood count as well as main symptoms reported to be associated with B12 deficiency between groups of different B12 cut-off values, consisting of those above and below 200, 175, 150 and 125 pg/ml. Results: Dietary habits, age, recurrent headaches, heart burn and peptic ulcer disease were found to be significantly associated with lower vitamin B12 levels. Surprisingly, daily smoking was associated with significantly higher B12 levels. The results revealed that none of the included potential indicators of B12 deficiency could be considered an indicative feature of deficiency. There were no significant differences neither in the symptoms nor in the CBC parameters between any of the tested study groups. Conclusion: Low dietary intake, older ages, recurrent headaches, heartburn and peptic ulcer disease, all could be considered as a risk factors of having low vitamin B12 levels within the Jordanians. Also, they tend to have lower levels of vitamin B12 levels, in comparison to countries in the West, without necessarily having deficiency symptoms. Cut-off value to diagnose functional B12 deficiency could be less than 125 pg/ml for the Jordanians. More local studies are needed to establish an accurate vitamin B12 cut-off value for the population in Jordan.


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