Importance of Vitamin Supplementation During Pregnancy: Pancytopenia in a 3-Month-Old Neonate

Cathérine Van Den Plas1, Toon van Genechten2, Marie-Berthe Maes3

  • 1Resident Clinical Biology, University of Antwerp, Drie Eikenstraat 655, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.

Reports (MDPI)
|May 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Infant pancytopenia can stem from vitamin B12 deficiency, often linked to maternal diet. Early diagnosis and cobalamin treatment lead to rapid recovery, preventing serious health issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Hematology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency in infants is rare but can cause severe hematologic and neurologic issues.
  • Exclusively breastfed infants are at risk due to reliance on maternal vitamin B12 levels.
  • Clinical presentation can mimic serious conditions like bone marrow failure, delaying diagnosis.

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