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Developmental regression as an early manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency
Clinical Pediatrics
|July 1, 1986
Insights
Infant developmental regression due to vitamin B12 deficiency, often linked to maternal deficiency, can be reversed with timely B12 supplementation, restoring neurological function.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Developmental regression in infants can indicate serious underlying conditions like CNS tumors or metabolic disorders.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency is a rare but treatable cause of neurological impairment in infants.
Observation:
- An infant presented with loss of developmental milestones and involuntary movements.
- The infant was diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency secondary to unrecognized maternal deficiency.
Findings:
- Prompt vitamin B12 supplementation led to a dramatic and complete neurologic recovery.
- This case highlights the critical role of maternal vitamin B12 status in infant neurodevelopment.
Implications:
- Early detection and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency are crucial for preventing irreversible neurological damage in infants.
- Screening for vitamin B12 deficiency should be considered in infants with unexplained developmental regression.
- Maternal vitamin B12 status assessment is important for at-risk pregnancies.
Abstract:
Loss of previously attained developmental milestones in an infant is often associated with central nervous system tumor, neuromuscular disease, or an inborn metabolic error. An infant with developmental regression and involuntary movements who was found to be vitamin B12 deficient on the basis of unrecognized maternal vitamin B12 deficiency is described. The infant had a dramatic neurologic recovery after receiving vitamin B12. The case and a review of similar cases is presented.