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[Severe pancytopenia in an infant secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency]

Maria Laura Piasrellini1, Natalia Millán1, Matías Miranday1

  • 1Hospital Pediátrico San Luis.

Nutricion Hospitalaria
|November 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Severe vitamin B12 deficiency in infants can cause significant health issues. Early diagnosis and vitamin B12 treatment are crucial for preventing severe hematological complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Hematology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Severe vitamin B12 deficiency poses diagnostic challenges due to diverse clinical presentations.
  • Infants may exhibit symptoms like fatigue, poor appetite, paleness, and developmental delays.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To illustrate the unique characteristics of severe vitamin B12 deficiency in an infant.
  • To highlight key diagnostic differentiators for this condition.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 17-month-old infant with severe vitamin B12 deficiency.
  • Analysis of clinical manifestations, laboratory findings (reticulocyte count, LDH), and hematological parameters.

Main Results:

  • The infant presented with asthenia, hyporexia, paleness, and regression of maturational patterns.
  • Key indicators included decreased reticulocyte counts and elevated lactate dehydrogenase, suggesting suppressed erythropoiesis.
  • Advanced cobalamin deficiency affects all cell lines, leading to pancytopenia.

Conclusions:

  • Prompt recognition and treatment with vitamin B12 replacement are essential.
  • This prevents serious hematological complications associated with severe vitamin B12 deficiency.
Abstract

Keywords:
Anemia megaloblástica. Deficiencia de cobalamina. Pancitopenia inducida por vitamina B12.

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