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[Severe megaloblastic anemia in child breast fed by a vegetarian mother]
M Monfort-Gouraud1, A Bongiorno, M A Le Gall
1Service de Pédiatrie B, Hôpital Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Paris.
Insights
A vegetarian diet in mothers can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency in infants, causing severe anemia and developmental delays. Prompt vitamin B12 supplementation ensures rapid and favorable recovery in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Hematology
Background:
- Maternal vegetarian diets can impact nutrient levels in breast milk.
- Vitamin B12 is crucial for infant development and neurological function.
Observation:
- A 15-month-old infant exclusively breastfed by a vegetarian mother presented with severe megaloblastic anemia.
- The infant exhibited growth arrest, hypotonia, and psychomotor developmental failure.
Findings:
- Confirmed diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency through low serum vitamin B12 levels in both infant and mother's milk.
- Megaloblastic anemia and developmental issues were directly linked to maternal dietary practices.
Implications:
- Highlights the critical need for monitoring vitamin B12 levels in infants of vegetarian mothers.
- Early diagnosis and vitamin B12 supplementation are essential for reversing deficiency symptoms and ensuring normal development.
- Underscores the importance of nutritional assessment in pediatric care, especially in specialized diets.
Abstract:
The case of a 15-month-old, strictly breast-fed infant whose mother had been following a vegetarian diet for ten years is reported. The infant had severe megaloblastic anemia with an arrest in growth, hypotonia, and failure of psychomotor development. The very low levels of vitamin B12 in the infant's serum and mother's milk confirmed the diagnosis. Management of such cases consists in administration of vitamin B12 supplements, with a blood transfusion if needed. Other concomitant deficiencies should be looked for. The outcome is rapidly favorable. The patient reported here is now four years of age and has normal statural growth and psychomotor development.