Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
09:02

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation

Published on: February 15, 2018

Severe vitamin B12 deficiency in a breast fed infant with pancytopenia

Funda Erkasar Citak1, Elvan Caglar Citak

  • 1Ankara Foundation of Children with Leukemia, Department of Pediatric Hematology, Turgutlu Sokak No. 30, Gaziosmanpasa, Ankara, Turkey.

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|July 21, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Severe nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency anemia caused pancytopenia in a 7-month-old infant. Maternal and infant nutritional history is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Hematology
  • Nutrition

Background:

  • Nutritional deficiencies can significantly impact infant health.
  • Vitamin B12 is essential for proper blood formation and neurological function.

Observation:

  • A 7-month-old exclusively breastfed infant presented with epistaxis (nosebleeds) and bruising.
  • Clinical examination revealed signs suggestive of a bleeding disorder.

Findings:

  • Laboratory investigations confirmed severe vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
  • The infant exhibited pancytopenia, indicating reduced levels of all blood cell types.
  • The deficiency was attributed to the infant's diet and potentially the mother's nutritional status.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of assessing maternal nutritional status in breastfeeding infants.
  • Emphasizes the need for early screening and intervention for vitamin B12 deficiency in infants.
  • Underscores the critical role of comprehensive nutritional history in pediatric case management.

More Related Videos

A Silver Nanoparticle Method for Ameliorating Biliary Atresia Syndrome in Mice07:48

A Silver Nanoparticle Method for Ameliorating Biliary Atresia Syndrome in Mice

Published on: October 13, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Vitamins01:30

Vitamins

Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced in our...
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition01:27

Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition

Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...