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Pancytopenia due to vitamin B12 deficiency in a breast-fed infant

Idil Yenicesu1

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Pediatric Hematology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. iyenicesu@hotmail.com

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
|May 20, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Maternal vitamin B12 deficiency can cause severe anemia and developmental delay in exclusively breastfed infants. Early nutritional assessment and intervention are crucial to prevent irreversible neurological damage in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutrition
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency is rare in children, often linked to maternal insufficiency.
  • Exclusively breastfed infants are particularly vulnerable to vitamin B12 deficiency due to maternal intake.
  • Maternal B12 deficiency can lead to significant health issues in infants.

Observation:

  • A case of a breastfed infant presenting with megaloblastic anemia due to maternal vitamin B12 deficiency.
  • The infant exhibited severe pancytopenia and regression of motor functions.
  • Developmental delay and regression were key presenting symptoms.

Findings:

  • Maternal vitamin B12 deficiency can manifest as severe pancytopenia in infants.
  • Neurological regression and developmental delay are significant potential consequences.
  • The infant's condition was directly linked to the mother's nutritional status.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of maternal nutritional history in infant health assessments.
  • Emphasizes the need for early detection and management of vitamin B12 deficiency in breastfeeding mothers and infants.
  • Underscores the potential for preventing severe, irreversible neurological damage through timely intervention.

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