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Neuroimaging Findings in Vitamin B12-Deficient Infants With Neurologic Features
Anjali Yadav1, Chandrika Azad1, Ravinder Kaur2
1Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.
Insights
Vitamin B12 deficiency in infants can cause severe neurological issues. Most infants with this deficiency show abnormal brain imaging results, highlighting the importance of early detection and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Radiology
Background:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to severe neurological problems in infants.
- The neuroradiologic features of this deficiency remain poorly understood.
- Early identification of neuroimaging correlates is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroradiologic findings in infants with vitamin B12 deficiency.
- To correlate clinical presentation with neuroimaging results.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 35 infants aged 6 months to 2 years with confirmed vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy were performed.
- Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with abnormal findings.
Main Results:
- 74% of patients exhibited significant brain MRI abnormalities.
- Common findings included thinning of the corpus callosum, prominent extra-axial spaces, cerebral atrophy, and white matter hyperintensities.
- While trends suggested higher odds of abnormalities in infants under 12 months, females, and those with developmental regression, these were not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- The majority of infants with vitamin B12 deficiency present with abnormal neuroimaging findings.
- These findings underscore the significant impact of vitamin B12 deficiency on infant brain development.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate specific risk factors and long-term implications.
Abstract:
Background:Vitamin B12 deficiency causes serious neurologic problems among infants. However, its neuroradiologic correlate is still largely obscure. Methodology: This prospective study was conducted on patients aged 6 months to 2 years. All children with proven vitamin B12 deficiency were planned to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the brain. Results: A total of 35 patients (63% female) were enrolled. Twenty-six (74%) patients had significant findings on brain MRI scan, commonest of which were thinning of corpus callosum and prominence of extra-axial spaces in 28.6% children, cerebral atrophy in 17%, and diffuse symmetrical hyperintensity of white matter in 5.7% patients. Using logistic regression, it was found that odds of abnormal neuroimaging findings were higher in children below 12 months, in females, and in patients with developmental regression, but none of them were statistically significant. Conclusion: Most of the infants with vitamin B12 deficiency have abnormal neuroimaging findings.
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