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Sublingual methylcobalamin treatment in infants with prolonged jaundice due to vitamin B12 deficiency

Sultan Aydin1, Ayse Oz1, Hayrullah Turkmen2

  • 1Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Türkiye.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|May 15, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause prolonged jaundice in newborns due to ineffective erythropoiesis. Early diagnosis and treatment with sublingual methylcobalamin offer an effective, non-invasive solution for infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Nutritional Deficiencies

Background:

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency causes ineffective erythropoiesis, leading to erythrocyte breakdown.
  • Increased erythrocyte breakdown elevates plasma bilirubin, potentially causing jaundice in newborns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between vitamin B12 deficiency and prolonged neonatal jaundice.
  • To compare the efficacy of sublingual methylcobalamin versus intramuscular cyanocobalamin in treating vitamin B12 deficiency in jaundiced infants.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive cross-sectional study included 103 infants with prolonged jaundice and vitamin B12 deficiency (serum level <250 ng/L).
  • Infants were divided into two groups: 72 receiving sublingual methylcobalamin and 31 receiving intramuscular cyanocobalamin.
  • Serum vitamin B12 levels were monitored before treatment and at 1.5 and 3 months post-treatment.

Main Results:

  • Both sublingual methylcobalamin and intramuscular cyanocobalamin effectively increased serum vitamin B12 levels in infants.
  • Mean serum vitamin B12 levels increased significantly post-treatment in both groups, indicating treatment efficacy.
  • Sublingual methylcobalamin showed promising results in normalizing vitamin B12 levels, suggesting its potential as a treatment option.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to prolonged jaundice in neonates.
  • Early diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency is crucial for timely intervention.
  • Sublingual methylcobalamin presents a non-invasive and effective treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency in jaundiced neonates.
Abstract

Keywords:
infantjaundiceprolonged jaundicesublingual methylcobalaminvitamin B12 deficiency

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