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Vitamin B12 deficiency in infancy as a cause of developmental regression

Erasmo Barbante Casella1, Marcelo Valente, Jessie Medeiros de Navarro

  • 1Child Neurology Unit, Pediatric Department, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. erasmobc@icr.hcnet.usp.br

Brain & Development
|November 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin B12 deficiency in infants can lead to severe developmental delays and brain atrophy. Prompt vitamin B12 supplementation can reverse these serious neurological effects, restoring normal development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency is a critical concern in infant nutrition.
  • Maternal diet, particularly strict vegetarianism, can impact infant B12 levels.
  • Exclusive breastfeeding necessitates adequate maternal vitamin B12 intake.

Observation:

  • A 6-month-old infant presented with insidious developmental regression.
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed cerebral atrophy.
  • The infant's mother followed a strict vegetarian diet and exclusively breastfed the infant.

Findings:

  • The infant's symptoms and cerebral atrophy were directly linked to vitamin B12 deficiency.
  • Clinical presentation and neuroimaging normalized following vitamin B12 administration.

Implications:

  • Highlights the crucial role of vitamin B12 in infant neurodevelopment.
  • Underscores the importance of screening for vitamin B12 deficiency in at-risk infants.
  • Emphasizes the need for nutritional counseling for vegetarian mothers regarding breastfeeding.

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