Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2025
Modeling Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage Through Intraventricular Injection of Hemoglobin
Published on: August 25, 2022
Vitamin B12 deficiency in an infant with neurological and hematological findings: A case report
Niraj Kumar Sharma1, Madhur Bhattarai1, Kushal Baral1
1Institute of Medicine Tribhuvan University Kathmandu Nepal.
Insights
Strict vegetarian diets require maternal supplementation to prevent infant vitamin B12 deficiency. Early detection of cobalamin deficiency is crucial for reversible neurological and developmental outcomes in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Neurology
Background:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency is uncommon in infants but can lead to severe health issues.
- Maternal strict vegetarian diets pose a risk for infant cobalamin deficiency.
- Subtle initial symptoms may delay diagnosis.
Observation:
- An 8-month-old male infant presented with neurological symptoms including decreased activity, drowsiness, and reduced interaction.
- These symptoms were diagnosed as being caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin B12 (cobalamin).
Findings:
- Infantile vitamin B12 deficiency can manifest with irritability, failure to thrive, megaloblastic anemia, and developmental regression.
- Neurological symptoms in infants can be a critical indicator of cobalamin deficiency.
Implications:
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women on vegetarian diets must ensure adequate vitamin B12 intake for their infants.
- Prompt diagnosis and intervention are essential for reversing the effects of vitamin B12 deficiency in infants.
- Increased awareness among healthcare providers is needed to identify and manage this preventable condition.
Key Clinical Message:
It is important for pregnant and breastfeeding women who adhere to a strict vegetarian diet to take appropriate steps to avoid vitamin B12 deficiency in their infants.
Abstract:
Vitamin B12 deficiency is rare during infancy. The initial symptoms of this deficiency are subtle and may include irritability, failure to thrive with a decline in growth rate, apathy, anorexia, refusal of solid foods, megaloblastic anemia, and developmental regression. The case presented here involves an 8-month-old male infant who showed neurological symptoms such as decreased activity, increased drowsiness, and reduced interaction with parents, which were ultimately linked to a deficiency of cobalamin (vitamin B12). Early recognition of this condition is critical because it is reversible. Therefore, pregnant and lactating women who follow a strict vegetarian diet should take necessary measures to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency in infants.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Vitamins
01:35Pedigree Analysis