Clinical presentation and metabolic consequences in 40 breastfed infants with nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency--what have we learned?

High incidence of low vitamin B12 levels in Estonian newborns

Vitamin B12 deficiency seems to be more common worldwide than previously thought. However, only a few reports based on data from newborn screening (NBS) programs have drawn attention to that subject. In Estonia, over the past three years, we have diagnosed 14 newborns with congenital acquired vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, the incidence of that condition is 33.8/100,000 live births, which is considerably more than previously believed. None of the newborns had any clinical symptoms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency before the treatment, and all biochemical markers normalized after treatment, which strongly supports the presence of treatable congenital deficiency of vitamin B12. During the screening period, we began using actively ratios of some metabolites like propionylcarnitine (C3) to acetylcarnitine (C2) and C3 to palmitoylcarnitine (C16) to improve the identification of newborns with acquired vitamin B12 deficiency. In the light of the results obtained, we will continue to screen the congenital acquired vitamin B12 deficiency among our NBS program. Every child with aberrant C3, C3/C2 and C3/C16 will be thoroughly examined to exclude acquired vitamin B12 deficiency, which can easily be corrected in most cases.

Vitamin B-12 in Human Milk: A Systematic Review

Despite the critical role of vitamin B-12 in infant development, existing recommendations for infant and maternal intake during lactation are based on milk vitamin B-12 concentrations analyzed with outdated methods in a sample of 9 Brazilian women. Accurate quantification of vitamin B-12 in the milk matrix requires effective hydrolysis of the vitamin from haptocorrin, its binding protein. The objective of the present systematic review is to consider and critique evidence of associations between milk vitamin B-12 concentration and time postpartum, maternal vitamin B-12 consumption, maternal vitamin B-12 status, and sample collection methodology. A systematic search of published literature was undertaken using the US National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE/PubMed bibliographic search engine. Observational and intervention studies were included if research was original and vitamin B-12 concentration in human milk was measured using an appropriate method during the first 12 mo of lactation. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. Vitamin B-12 concentration was highest in colostrum and decreased in a poorly delineated trajectory over the first 3-4 mo of lactation. There was some evidence of a positive association between habitual maternal vitamin B-12 intake and milk vitamin B-12 concentration in marginally nourished women. Supplementation with 50-250 µg vitamin B-12/d during pregnancy and lactation raised human milk vitamin B-12 concentrations while intervention was ongoing, whereas supplementation with 2.6-8.6 µg/d was effective in a population with poor baseline vitamin B-12 status but not in other populations. Whether milk vitamin B-12 concentration varies with maternal circulating vitamin B-12 concentrations or sampling methodology requires further research as existing data are conflicting. Additional research is needed to bridge knowledge gaps in the understanding of human milk vitamin B-12 concentrations. Reference values for vitamin B-12 in human milk and recommended intakes during infancy and lactation should be reevaluated using modern methods of analysis.

Micronutrients in Human Milk: Analytical Methods

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended by the WHO for the first 6 mo of life because human milk protects against gastrointestinal infections and supplies balanced and adequate nutrient contents to the infant. However, reliable data on micronutrient concentrations in human milk are sparse, especially because some micronutrients are affected by maternal diet. Microbiological and competitive protein-binding assays, nuclear magnetic resonance or inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, and chromatographic analyses are among the methods that have been applied to human-milk micronutrient analysis. However, the validation or evaluation of analytical methods in terms of their suitability for the complex human-milk matrix has been commonly ignored in reports, even though the human-milk matrix differs vastly from blood, plasma, or urine matrixes. Thus, information on the validity, accuracy, and sensitivity of the methods is essential for the estimation of infant and maternal intake requirements to support and maintain adequate milk micronutrient concentrations for healthy infant growth and development. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on methods used for analyzing water- and fat-soluble vitamins as well as iron, copper, zinc, iodine, and selenium in human milk and their different forms in milk; the tools available for quality control and assurance; and guidance for preanalytical considerations. Finally, we recommend preferred methodologic approaches for analysis of specific milk micronutrients.

Complications caused by nitrous oxide in dental sedation

The first clinical application of nitrous oxide (N₂O) was in 1844, by an American dentist named Horace Wells who used it to control pain during tooth extraction. Since then, N₂O has shared a 170-year history with modern dental anesthesia. N₂O, an odorless and colorless gas, is very appealing as a sedative owing to its anxiolytic, analgesic, and amnestic properties, rapid onset and recovery, and, in particular, needle-free application. Numerous studies have reported that N₂O can be used safely and effectively as a procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) agent. However, N₂O can lead to the irreversible inactivation of vitamin B12, which is essential for humans; although rare, this can be fatal in some patients.

The Efficacy of Oral Vitamin B12 Replacement for Nutritional Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Standard treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency has not been well established in childhood, the ideal amount of supplemental vitamin B12 is not clear. Vitamin B12 deficiency is classically treated with intramuscular injections. In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of oral therapy in children with vitamin B12 deficiency. Patients with serum cobalamin concentrations <300 pg/mL aged between 6 months to 18 years were included in this prospective study. Children were treated orally either with a combination of multivitamin tablet daily or vitamin B12 ampules. Serum specimens were obtained at the end of first and third months of treatment for vitamin B12 levels. A total of 79 patients were included in the study. The mean pretreatment vitamin B12 level increased from 182±47.6 pg/mL to 482±318 pg/mL after 1 month of treatment in the whole cohort. Comparison of the pretreatment vitamin B12 levels with first and third month posttreatment values showed significant difference (P-value, 0.001 and 0.028, respectively). In this study, oral cyanocobalamin was found effective for the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency in children.

Laboratory investigations

This chapter deals with chemical and hematologic investigations which are often considered in the diagnostic workup of subacute to chronic cerebellar ataxias. Relevant investigations in blood (serum, plasma), urine, and cerebrospinal fluid are discussed. Particular attention is paid to early diagnosis of treatable metabolic ataxias (such as abetalipoproteinemia, coenzyme Q10 deficiency, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, glucose transporter type 1 deficiency, Refsum disease, and vitamin E deficiency), but autoimmune ataxias, other vitamin deficiencies, and endocrine disorders should also be kept in mind. Adequate interpretation of test results has to consider age-specific reference values. The selection of investigations should mainly be driven by the overall clinical context, considering gender, history, age, and mode of presentation, cerebellar and other neurologic as well as extraneurologic findings.

Breast milk is conditionally perfect

Breast milk is the universal preferred nutrition for the newborn human infant. New mother have been encouraged to exclusively breastfeed by health care professionals and consumer-advocacy forums for years, citing "breast milk is the perfect food". The benefits are numerous and include psychological, convenience, economical, ecological and nutritionally superior. Human milk is a composite of nutritional choices of the mother, commencing in the pre-conceptual era. Events influencing the eventual nutritional profile of breast milk for the neonate start with pre-conceptual dietary habits through pregnancy and finally to postpartum. Food choices do affect the nutritional profile of human breast milk. It is not known who coined the phrase "breast milk is the perfect food" but it is widely prevalent in the literature. While breast milk is highly nutritive, containing important immunological and growth factors, scientific investigation reveals a few short-falls. Overall, human breast milk has been found to be low in certain nutrients in developed countries: vitamin D, iodine, iron, and vitamin K. Additional nutrient deficiencies have been documented in resource-poor countries: vitamin A, vitamin B 12, zinc, and vitamin B 1/thiamin. Given these findings, isn't it more accurate to describe breast milk as "conditionally perfect"? Correcting the impression that breast milk is an inherently, automatically comprehensive enriched product would encourage women who plan to breastfeed an opportunity to concentrate on dietary improvement to optimizes nutrient benefits ultimately to the neonate. The more immediate result would improve pre-conceptual nutritional status. Here, we explore the nutritional status of groups of young women; some of whom will become pregnant and eventually produce breast milk. We will review the available literature profiling vitamin, mineral, protein and caloric content of breast milk. We highlight pre-existing situations needing correction to optimize conception and fetal development. While alternative forms of infant nutrition carry standard product labels of nutrient adequacy, this information does not apply universally to all breast milk. Infant formulas are fortified with various amounts of vitamins, minerals, supplemental protein concentrates, nucleic factors, omega 3 fatty acids and any important new nutritional finding. Infant formulas are manufactured to be consistent in composition and are monitored closely for quality. Not true for human breast milk. Any nutrient deficiency existing in pregnancy will ultimately be carried forward via lactation. It is a biological impossibility for a lactating woman to transfer nutrients via breast milk she does not have!

High Prevalence of Vitamin B12 Deficiency and No Folate Deficiency in Young Children in Nepal

Many children in low- and middle-income countries may have inadequate intake of vitamin B12 and folate; data confirming these inadequacies are limited. We used biochemical, demographic, behavioral and anthropometric data to describe the folate and vitamin B12 concentrations among six- to 23-month-old Nepalese children. Vitamin B12 (serum B12 < 150 pmol/L) and folate deficiencies (red blood cell (RBC) folate < 226.5 nmol/L) were assessed. We used logistic regression to identify predictors of vitamin B12 deficiency. The vitamin B12 geometric mean was 186 pmol/L; 30.2% of children were deficient. The mean RBC folate concentration was 13,612 nmol/L; there was no deficiency. Factors associated with vitamin B12 deficiency included: (a) age six to 11 months (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18, 1.92) or 12-17 months (aOR 1.38; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.72) compared to 18-23 months; (b) being stunted (aOR 1.24; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.50) compared to not being stunted; (c) and not eating animal-source foods (aOR 1.85; 95% CI: 1.42, 2.41) compared to eating animal-source foods the previous day. There was a high prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency, but no folate deficiency. Improving early feeding practices, including the consumption of rich sources of vitamin B12, such as animal-source foods and fortified foods, may help decrease deficiency.

B12 deficiency is common in infants and is accompanied by serious neurological symptoms

AIM

Adverse neurological symptoms have been linked to vitamin B12 deficiency in infants. This explorative study described the clinical presentation associated with vitamin B12 deficiency in this age group.

METHODS

The study comprised infants who were born between 2004 and 2012 and were tested for vitamin B12 levels after they were admitted to a hospital with neurological symptoms at less than one year of age. Vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as low cobalamin in serum and/or increased homocysteine and/or increased methylmalonate. It was diagnosed according to the applicable International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, and recorded as vitamin B12 deficiency in the medical records. All information was retrieved from medical records and compared to symptomatic infants with normal levels.

RESULTS

Of the 121 infants tested, 35 had vitamin B12 deficiency and 86 had normal levels. Vitamin B12 deficiency was diagnosed at an average age of 1.7 months and was more common among boys. Seizures and apparent life-threatening events were the most common symptoms among infants with B12 deficiency compared to infants with normal levels.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin B12 deficiency was more common in infants than we expected and presented with severe symptoms, such as seizures and apparent life-threatening events.

Analyzing B-vitamins in Human Milk: Methodological Approaches

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. However, there is insufficient information about the concentration of nutrients in human milk. For some nutrients, including B-vitamins, maternal intake affects their concentration in human milk but the extent to which inadequate maternal diets affect milk B-vitamin content is poorly documented. Little is known about infant requirements for B-vitamins; recommendations are generally set as Adequate Intakes (AI) calculated on the basis of the mean volume of milk (0.78 L/day) consumed by infants exclusively fed with human milk from well-nourished mothers during the first six months, and the concentration of each vitamin in milk based on reported values. Methods used for analyzing B-vitamins, commonly microbiological, radioisotope dilution or more recently chromatographic, coupled with UV, fluorometric and MS detection, have rarely been validated for the complex human milk matrix. Thus the validity, accuracy, and sensitivity of analytical methods is important for understanding infant requirements for these nutrients, the maternal intakes needed to support adequate concentrations in breast milk. This review summarizes current knowledge on methods used for analyzing the B-vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 and pantothenic acid, vitamin B-12, folate, biotin, and choline in human milk, their chemical and physical properties, the different forms and changes in concentration during lactation, and the effects of deficiency on the infant.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Infancy: The Case for Screening

The classic principles put forth by Wilson and Jungner are often applied to determine the suitability of a condition for universal newborn screening. The three cases described here portray the harmful effects of vitamin B12 deficiency in infancy. The challenges and opportunities of early recognition and treatment are highlighted. Screening newborns would allow early detection and prevention of severe neurological damage in vitamin B12 -deficient infants and enable diagnosis of unrecognized maternal pernicious anemia in asymptomatic mothers. However, lack of standardized methodology and screening cutoffs present challenges to the use of current tandem mass spectrometry technologies for screening.

The hematological effects of nitrous oxide anesthesia in pediatric patients

BACKGROUND

Prolonged administration of nitrous oxide causes an increase in plasma homocysteine in children via vitamin B12 inactivation. However, it is unclear whether nitrous oxide doses used in clinical practice cause adverse hematological effects in pediatric patients.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 54 pediatric patients undergoing elective spinal surgery: 41 received nitrous oxide throughout anesthesia (maintenance group), 9 received nitrous oxide for induction and/or emergence (induction/emergence group), and 4 did not receive nitrous oxide (nitrous oxide-free group). Complete blood counts obtained before and up to 4 days after surgery were assessed for anemia, macrocytosis/microcytosis, anisocytosis, hyperchromatosis/hypochromatosis, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. The change (Δ) from preoperative to the highest postoperative value was calculated for mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and red cell distribution width (RDW).

RESULTS

No pancytopenia was present in any patient after surgery. All patients had postoperative anemia, and none had macrocytosis. Postoperative MCV (mean [99% confidence interval]) peaked at 86 fL (85-88 fL), 85 fL (81-89 fL), and 88 fL (80-96 fL) and postoperative RDW at 13.2% (12.8-13.5%), 13.3% (12.7-13.8%), and 13.0% (11.4-14.6%) for the maintenance group, the induction/emergence group, and the nitrous oxide-free group. Two patients in the maintenance group (5%) developed anisocytosis (RDW >14.6%), but none in the induction/emergence group or in the nitrous oxide-free group (P = 0.43). Both ΔMCV (P = 0.52) and ΔRDW (P = 0.16) were similar across all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Nitrous oxide exposure for up to 8 hours is not associated with megaloblastic anemia in pediatric patients undergoing major spinal surgery.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Infants

OBJECTIVE

To determine different clinical presentations of vitamin B12 deficiency in infants.

METHODS

Infants at the age of 1-20 mo admitted to infancy clinic of authors' hospital between January 2011-2013 with various clinical presentations due to vitamin B12 deficiency were included in the study. Hospital records of all the patients were evaluated by means of history, physical, laboratory, imaging examinations and treatment. The diagnosis was based on a nutritional history of mothers and infants, clinical findings, hematological evaluation, and low level of serum vitamin B12.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients with a mean age of 6.65 ± 4.5 mo were included in the study. The weight and height were below the third percentile in four patients. The most common symptoms of the patients were; infections in 30 %, pallor in 25 %, hypotonia and neuro-developmental delay in 25 %, refusal to solid food or to suck in 20 %, failure to thrive in 15 %, fatigue in 10 %. Twenty-five percent of patients had neurologic signs and symptoms. Anemia was found in 16/20 (80 %) patients. Three (15 %) patients had leukopenia, 7 (35 %) had neutropenia, 2 (10 %) patients had thrombocytopenia. All of the mothers had vitamin B12 deficiency. All of the patients were fed with breast milk. Cyanocobalamin was administered to all the patients and mothers. After the treatment, clinical and laboratory findings of all the patients improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin B12 deficiency should be considered in the differential diagnosis of some hematological, neurological, and gastrointestinal disturbances of infants.

Growth retardation, general hypotonia, and loss of acquired neuromotor skills in the infants of mothers with cobalamin deficiency and the possible role of succinyl-CoA and glycine in the pathogenesis

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin, Cbl) deficiency can cause metabolic, hematological, and neurological abnormalities. Adequate levels of succinyl-coenzyme A (CoA) cannot be synthesized from methylmalonyl-CoA because of the decreased activity of the methylmalonyl-CoA mutase enzyme that uses Cbl as the cofactor. Succinyl-CoA synthesis deficiency leads to decreased heme synthesis and gluconeogenesis. The reason of growth retardation can be gluconeogenesis deficiency together with heme synthesis deficiency whereas the reason of the neurological abnormalities can be glycine increase in the tissue due to decreased heme synthesis. We present 7 infants diagnosed with severe nutritional Cbl deficiency and discuss the role of succinyl-CoA and glycine in the possible pathogenesis in this article. Patients brought to our clinic with a complaint of growth retardation and diagnosed with nutritional Cbl deficiency were included in the study. There were 5 females and 2 males. The mean age was 11 ± 2.30 (range 6-13) months. All patients had general muscular hypotonia and 4 had growth retardation. Neuromotor growth retardation was found in 4 of the children who had previously shown normal neuromotor development for age. The mean Cbl level was 83.8 ± 27.6 (45.6-114) pg/mL. The mean Cbl level of the mothers was 155 ± 56.6 (88-258) pg/mL. Six of the patients had anemia and 1 had thrombocytopenia. Mean corpuscular volume value was 91.5 ± 12.2 fL. Following treatment, the muscle tonus of the patients improved, the anemia and growth retardation decreased, and the lost neuromotor abilities were recovered. Severe nutritional Cbl deficiency is an important nutritional disease where complications can be prevented with early treatment. When evaluating the pathogenesis, it should be noted that nutritional Cbl deficiency is a succinyl-CoA synthesis deficiency.

Psychomotor development following early treatment of severe infantile vitamin B12 deficiency and West syndrome--is everything fine? A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Severe infantile vitamin B12 deficiency is occasionally reported in developed countries due to maternal nutritional deficiency. The clinical manifestation comprises megaloblastic anemia and neurodevelopmental delay culminating in demyelination and brain atrophy. Few case reports have documented manifestation of West syndrome.

PATIENT

We report the 8-year long-term follow-up on a 6-month-old exclusively breast-fed girl with serious vitamin B12 deficiency secondary to undiagnosed maternal pernicious anemia. MRI revealed cerebral atrophy and delayed myelination. Strikingly, initial vitamin B12-mediated improvement of neurological and hematological findings was followed by temporary manifestation of infantile spasms requiring anticonvulsive therapy.

RESULTS

Seizures soon dissolved, EEG and MRI scan normalized and developmental catch-up occurred. At the age of 8 years, the girl is symptom-free and visits primary school illustrating remarkable recovery of severe neurodevelopmental delay and symptomatic West syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Infantile vitamin B12 deficiency has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of mental retardation and infantile spasms, especially if maternal nutritional deficiency might be suspected. Early treatment seems to be crucial for the prevention of irreversible brain damage.

Genetic and environmental factors associated with vitamin B12status in Amazonian children

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin B12deficiency and factors associated with vitamin B12status in Amazonian children.

Design

Genetic risk score (GRS), socio-economic and nutritional status, and morbidity data were the independent variables used in multiple linear regression models to evaluate factors associated with vitamin B12status in a population-based cross-sectional study. GRS was created by summing a number of known risk alleles for low serum vitamin B12.

Setting

Acrelândia, western Brazilian Amazon.

Subjects

Children (n988) aged <10 years.

Results

Overall prevalence of vitamin B12deficiency (<150 pmol/l) was 4·2 (95 % CI 3·0, 5·6) % and was highest in children aged <24 months: 13·6 (95 % CI % 8·8, 19·7) %. For children <24 months, wealth index (β=0·017,P=0·030) and animal protein intake(β=0·219,P=0·003) were positively associated with vitamin B12status. GRS (β=−0·114,P<0·001) and serum homocysteine (β=–0·049,P<0·001) were negatively associated. Among children aged ≥24 months, vitamin B12status was positively associated with wealth index (β=0·012,P<0·001), height-for-ageZ-score (β=0·024, P=0·033) and serum vitamin A (β=0·089,P<0·001). Age≥60 months(β=–0·118,P<0·001), GRS (β=–0·048, P<0·001), maternal schooling <5 years (β=–0·083,P<0·001), low intake of animal-derived foods (β=–0·050,P=0·030), serum homocysteine (β=–0·053,P<0·001), serum folate ≥23·6 nmol/l (β=–0·055,P=0·012) and geohelminth infection (β=–0·141,P=0·017) were negatively associated with vitamin B12status.

Conclusions

GRS, poverty, low intake of animal-derived foods, geohelminth infection, vitamin A and folate status were important factors associated with vitamin B12status of children in our study.

Maternal vitamin B12 deficiency detected in expanded newborn screening

OBJECTIVES

Besides the inherited form, vitamin B(12) deficiency may be due to diet restrictions or abnormal absorption. The spread of newborn screening programs worldwide has pointed out that non-inherited conditions are mainly secondary to a maternal deficiency. The aim of our work was to study seven cases of acquired vitamin B12 deficiency detected during our newborn screening project. Moreover, we aimed to evaluate vitamin B(12) and related biochemical parameters status on delivering female to verify the consequences on newborns of eventually altered parameters.

DESIGN AND METHODS

35,000 newborns were screened; those showing altered propionyl carnitine (C3) underwent second-tier test for methylmalonic acid (MMA) on dried blood spot (DBS). Subsequently, newborns positive to the presence of MMA on DBS and their respective mothers underwent further tests: serum vitamin B(12), holo-transcobalamin (Holo-TC), folate and homocysteine; newborns were also tested for urinary MMA content. A control study was conducted on 203 females that were tested for the same parameters when admitted to hospital for delivery.

RESULTS

Approximately 10% of the examined newborns showed altered C3. Among these, seven cases of acquired vitamin B(12) deficiency were identified (70% of the MMA-positive cases). Moreover, our data show a high frequency of vitamin B(12) deficiency in delivering female (approximately 48% of examined pregnants).

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest to monitor vitamin B(12) and Holo-TC until delivery and to reconsider the reference interval of vitamin B(12) for a better identification of cases at risk. Finally, newborns from mothers with low or borderline levels of vitamin B(12) should undergo second-tier test for MMA; in the presence of MMA they should be supplemented with vitamin B(12) to prevent adverse effects related to vitamin B(12) deficiency.

Two infants with infantile spasms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency

BACKGROUND

In developing countries, nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency in infants because of maternal deficiency often causes hematological and neurological disorders. However, epilepsy is a rare manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency. The biological basis for the observed neurological symptoms of infantile vitamin B12 deficiency remains uncertain. There are only a few reports in the English literature regarding the relationship between infantile spasms and vitamin B12 deficiency.

PATIENTS

We report two unrelated infants having infantile spasms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency related to maternal nutritional deficiency.

RESULTS

During the first month of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), phenobarbital, and vitamin B12 treatments, both infants' abnormalities resolved. After 3 months, electroencephaography was completely normal. ACTH and phenobarbital treatments were ended. The children are disease-free 9 months after the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that vitamin B12 deficiency should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infantile spasms as a treatable cause, especially with a history of maternal nutritional deficiency.

German national consensus recommendations on nutrition and lifestyle in pregnancy by the 'Healthy Start - Young Family Network'

Diet and physical activity before and during pregnancy affect short- and long-term health of mother and child. The energy needs at the end of pregnancy increase only by about 10% compared to nonpregnant women. An excessive energy intake is undesirable since maternal overweight and excessive weight gain can increase the risks for a high birth weight and later child overweight and diabetes. Maternal weight at the beginning of pregnancy is especially important for pregnancy outcome and child health. Women should strive to achieve normal weight already before pregnancy. Regular physical activity can contribute to a healthy weight and to the health of pregnant women. The need for certain nutrients increases more than energy requirements. Before and during pregnancy, foods with a high content of essential nutrients should be preferentially selected. Supplements should include folic acid and iodine, iron (in case of suboptimal iron stores), the ω-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (in case of infrequent consumption of ocean fish) and vitamin D (in case of decreased sun exposure and decreased endogenous vitamin D synthesis). Pregnant women should not smoke and not stay in rooms where others smoke or have smoked before (passive smoking). Alcohol consumption should be avoided, since alcohol can harm unborn children.

Vitamin B12 deficiency with intrinsic factor antibodies in an infant with poor growth and developmental delay

Vitamin B12 deficiency is very rare in infants and may lead to serious hematological and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. The present article describes a case involving a seven-month-old boy with severe vitamin B12 deficiency, likely caused by juvenile pernicious anemia, an entity rarely described. The child presented with feeding intolerance, poor growth and developmental delay. He was noted to have macrocytic anemia, a markedly low serum vitamin B12 level, and elevated homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels. Antibodies to intrinsic factor were positive. The mother was healthy, with normal vitamin B12 status. Therapy with vitamin B12 supplements led to excellent recovery of symptoms. Vitamin B12 deficiency should be considered in children presenting with failure to thrive, especially when compounded with neurological symptoms. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment is essential to avoid serious complications.

Competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay for vitamin B12 analysis in human milk

Recent discoveries of matrix interferences by haptocorrin (HC) in human milk and serum show that past analyses of vitamin B12 in samples with high HC content might have been inaccurate (Lildballe et al., 2009; Carmel & Agrawal, 2012). We evaluated two competitive enzyme-binding immunoassays for serum/plasma (IMMULITE and SimulTRAC-SNB) for B12 analysis in human milk. B12-recovery rates (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2007) were determined to be 78.9 ± 9.1% with IMMULITE and 225 ± 108% (range 116-553%) using SimulTRAC-SNB, most likely due to the presence of excess HC. HC-interferences were not observed with the IMMULITE assay, rendering previously reported mandatory HC-removal (Lildballe et al., 2009) unnecessary. Linearity continued at low B12-concentrations (24-193 pM; r(2)>0.985). Milk B12 concentrations from Bangladeshi women (72-959 pM) were significantly lower than those from California (154-933 pM; p<0.0001) showing IMMULITE's robustness against the complex milk matrix and its ability to measure low milk B12 concentrations.

Cobalamin deficiency: clinical picture and radiological findings

Vitamin B12 deficiency causes a wide range of hematological, gastrointestinal, psychiatric and neurological disorders. Hematological presentation of cobalamin deficiency ranges from the incidental increase of mean corpuscular volume and neutrophil hypersegmentation to symptoms due to severe anemia, such as angor, dyspnea on exertion, fatigue or symptoms related to congestive heart failure, such as ankle edema, orthopnea and nocturia. Neuropsychiatric symptoms may precede hematologic signs and are represented by myelopathy, neuropathy, dementia and, less often, optic nerve atrophy. The spinal cord manifestation, subacute combined degeneration (SCD), is characterized by symmetric dysesthesia, disturbance of position sense and spastic paraparesis or tetraparesis. The most consistent MRI finding is a symmetrical abnormally increased T2 signal intensity confined to posterior or posterior and lateral columns in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord. Isolated peripheral neuropathy is less frequent, but likely overlooked. Vitamin B12 deficiency has been correlated negatively with cognitive functioning in healthy elderly subjects. Symptoms include slow mentation, memory impairment, attention deficits and dementia. Optic neuropathy occurs occasionally in adult patient. It is characterized by symmetric, painless and progressive visual loss. Parenteral replacement therapy should be started soon after the vitamin deficiency has been established.

Low vitamin B12 intake during pregnancy and lactation and low breastmilk vitamin 12 content in rural Kenyan women consuming predominantly maize diets

BACKGROUND

Vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy and lactation may negatively affect fetal growth, brain development, pregnancy outcome, and breastmilk vitamin B12 content.

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations between pregnant and lactating women's vitamin B12 intake and pregnancy outcomes, breastmilk vitamin B12 concentration, and growth and development of breastfed infants from birth to 6 months.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-eight Kenyan women were followed during pregnancy, with 98 followed through 6 months of lactation and providing 294 randomly collected breastmilk samples. Maternal hematologic analyses were performed for erythrocyte morphology, erythrocyte size, and serum vitamin B12 concentration. Women's and infants'food intake was assessed. Breastmilk vitamin B12 was measured by a competitive binding isotope dilution technique. Infant anthropometric data and the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (BNBAS) were assessed within 3 days after birth. The Infant Bayley Motor Scale was assessed at 6 months. Statistical analyses included simple regression and correlation analyses in relation to vitamin B12 status and gestational age.

RESULTS

Intrauterine growth restriction and stillbirths were correlated with maternal macrocytic anemia and hypersegmented polymorphonuclear nuclei. Postpartum maternal vitamin B12 intake influenced breastmilk vitamin B12 levels 1 to 6 months postpartum. No associations were found between vitamin B12 intake during pregnancy or vitamin B12 levels in breastmilk and infant length, weight, or head circumference at birth or 6 months. Vitamin B12 intake during pregnancy was correlated with improved scores on infants' BNBAS reflex subscale (R = -0.19, p = .05) with adjustment for gestational age. Bayley Motor Scale results at 6 months were not significantly associated with breastmilk or supplemental feeding vitamin B12 content.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin B12 deficiency may adversely affect pregnancy outcome, infant reflexes at birth, and breastmilk vitamin B12 content.

Cobalamin supplementation improves motor development and regurgitations in infants: results from a randomized intervention study

BACKGROUND

During infancy, minor developmental delays and gastrointestinal complaints are common, as is a biochemical profile indicative of impaired cobalamin status.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether cobalamin supplementation can improve development or symptoms in infants with biochemical signs of impaired cobalamin function and developmental delay or feeding difficulties.

DESIGN

Infants <8 mo of age (n = 105) who were referred for feeding difficulties, subtle neurologic symptoms, or delayed psychomotor development were assessed for cobalamin status [by the measurement of serum cobalamin, plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), and plasma methylmalonic acid (MMA)]. Infants with biochemical signs of impaired cobalamin function, defined as a plasma tHcy concentration ≥6.5 μmol/L (n = 79), were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial to receive 400 μg hydroxycobalamin intramuscularly (n = 42) or a sham injection (n = 37). Motor function [Alberta Infants Motor Scale (AIMS)] and clinical symptoms (parental questionnaire) were recorded at entry and after 1 mo.

RESULTS

During follow-up, cobalamin supplementation changed all markers of impaired cobalamin status (ie, plasma tHcy decreased by 54%, and MMA decreased by 84%), whereas no significant changes were seen in the placebo group (P < 0.001). The median (IQR) increase in the AIMS score was higher in the cobalamin group than in the placebo group [7.0 (5.0, 9.0) compared with 4.5 (3.3, 6.0); P = 0.003], and a higher proportion showed improvements in regurgitations (69% compared with 29%, respectively; P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

In infants with biochemical signs of impaired cobalamin function, 1 intramuscular injection of cobalamin resulted in biochemical evidence of cobalamin repletion and improvement in motor function and regurgitations, which suggest that an adequate cobalamin status is important for a rapidly developing nervous system. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00710359 and NCT00710138.

Vitamin B12 deficiency presenting as acute ataxia

A previously healthy 7-year-old Caucasian boy was hospitalised for evaluation of acute ataxia and failure to thrive, initially suspicious for an intracranial mass. Weight and body mass index were below the third percentile and he demonstrated loss of joint position and vibratory sense on examination. Laboratory studies revealed megaloblastic anaemia while an initial MRI of the brain showed no evidence of mass lesions or other abnormalities. A dietary history revealed the child subscribed to a restrictive vegan diet with little to no intake of animal products or other fortified foods. The child was diagnosed with presumed vitamin B12 deficiency and was treated with intramuscular B12 injections. Neurological symptoms resolved promptly within several days after starting therapy. This case underlines the importance of assessing nutritional status in the evaluation of neurological dysfunction in the pediatric patient.

Association between vitamin B12intake and EURRECA's prioritized biomarkers of vitamin B12in young populations: a systematic review

Objective

To review evidence on the associations between vitamin B12intake and its biomarkers, vitamin B12intake and its functional health outcomes, and vitamin B12biomarkers and functional health outcomes.

Design

A systematic review was conducted by searching electronic databases, until January 2012, using a standardized strategy developed in the EURRECA network. Relevant articles were screened and sorted based on title and abstract, then based on full text, and finally included if they met inclusion criteria. A total of sixteen articles were included in the review.

Setting

Articles covered four continents: America (n4), Europe (n8), Africa (n1) and Asia (n3).

Subjects

Population groups included healthy infants, children and adolescents, and pregnant and lactating women.

Results

From the total number of 5815 papers retrieved from the initial search, only sixteen were eligible according to the inclusion criteria: five for infants, five for children and adolescents, and six for pregnant and lactating women.

Conclusions

Only one main conclusion could be extracted from this scarce number of references: a positive association between vitamin B12intake and serum vitamin B12in the infant group. Other associations were not reported in the eligible papers or the results were not provided in a consistent manner. The low number of papers that could be included in our systematic review is probably due to the attention that is currently given to research on vitamin B12in elderly people. Our observations in the current systematic review justify the idea of performing well-designed studies on vitamin B12in young populations.

Severe vitamin B12 deficiency in an exclusively breastfed 5-month-old Italian infant born to a mother receiving multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

In infants, vitamin B12 deficiency may be due to an inborn error of absorption and metabolism, or nutritional problems.

CASE PRESENTATION

An exclusively breastfed 5-month-old Italian male infant, who was born after a normal full-term pregnancy to a vegan mother who was apparently daily treated with a multivitamin oral preparation during the second and third trimester, was hospitalised because of poor weight gain, feeding difficulties, severe pallor, muscle hypotonia and somnolence. Upon admission, his weight, length and head circumference were below the third percentile, he had an enlarged liver and spleen, and showed a significant delay in developmental milestones and communicative reactions. He had a hemoglobin level of 4.7 g/dL with an MCV of 84.2 fL, a white blood cell count of 4,680/mm3, and a platelet count of 45,000/mm3. His serum vitamin B12 level was 57 pg/mL (normal value 180-500 pg/mL) and serum folate level 12.8 ng/mL (normal value >3 ng/mL). The results of metabolic examinations excluded a cobalamin C disorder, whereas nutritional screening showed a serum iron concentration of 9 μg/dL and serum ferritin of 4 ng/mL. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed mild dilatation of the lateral ventricles with diffuse delayed myelination. The child was diagnosed as having vitamin B12 and iron deficiency due to nutritional inadequacy and was immediately treated with packed red blood cells, intramuscular vitamin B12 injections, and iron supplementation. A few days after the start of therapy, his hemoglobin levels and other hematological parameters rapidly improved, and a clinical improvement was observed within few weeks. There was an increase in his achievement of developmental milestones, but his development was still retarded seven months after the start of therapy.

CONCLUSION

This case underlines the importance of adequately controlling maternal vitamin B12 intake during pregnancy by means of supplementation which, in the case of vegan mothers, should be significantly greater than that usually given. Moreover, the supplementation should be continued during lactation in order to avoid the development of signs of deficiency that may be associated with persistent neurological problems in infants. The case also highlights the need to consider vitamin B12 deficiency in infants with severe anemia even if their hematological parameters do not indicate megaloblastic anemia because the concomitant presence of substantial iron deficiency may modify the characteristics of the anemia.

Cranial magnetic resonance imaging findings of nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency in 15 hypotonic infants

BACKGROUND

Nutritional vitamin B(12) deficieny is common among infants in the developing and underdeveloped countries. There is limited information concerning neuroimaging findings in infants with vitamin B(12) deficiency in the literature.

AIMS

The aim of this study is to evaluate the cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes and clinical characteristics of hypotonic infants due to vitamin B(12) deficiency.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 15 infants with neuroradiologic investigations were diagnosed with nutritional B(12) vitamin deficiency. Cranial MRI was performed on all infants.

RESULTS

Five infants were female (33%) and the mean age of infants was 12.3 ± 5.5 months. Hypotonia and neurodevelopmental retardation were present in all patients. MRI demonstrated thinning of the corpus callosum in 6 (40%), cortical atrophy in 5 (33.3%), large sylvian fissures in 5 (33.3%), ventricular dilatation in 3 (20%), asymetric large lateral ventricle in 2 (13.3%) and delayed in myelination in 2 (13.3%) patients. Four infants had normal MRI findings.

CONCLUSION

Because of the importance of vitamin B(12) in the development of the brain, MRI findings may be detected and useful in infants with vitamin B(12) deficiency.

Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in children with iron deficiency anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

Paraoxonase-1 is an esterase enzyme and it has 3 types of activity, namely paraoxonase, arylesterase, and diazoxonase. It has been reported that paraoxonase-1 deficiency is related to increased susceptibility to development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in children with iron deficiency anemia and vitamin B(12) deficiency anemia. Thirty children with iron deficiency anemia, 30 children with vitamin B(12) deficiency anemia, and 40 healthy children aged 6 months to 6 years were enrolled in this study. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured with a spectrophotometer by using commercially available kits. Mean paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in vitamin B(12) deficiency anemia group (103 ± 73 and 102 ± 41 U/L, respectively) were significantly lower than mean activities of control group (188 ± 100 and 147 ± 34 U/L, respectively; P < .001 for both) and iron deficiency anemia group (165 ± 103 and 138 ± 39 U/L, respectively; P < .05, P < .001), whereas there were no significant differences between iron deficiency anemia and control groups (P > .05). Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities significantly increased after treatment with vitamin B(12) in vitamin B(12) deficiency anemia; however, there were no significant changes in the activities of these enzymes after iron treatment in iron deficiency anemia group. Important correlations were found between vitamin B(12) levels and both paraoxonase and arylesterase activities (r = .367, P < .001; r = .445, P < .001). Our results suggest that vitamin B(12) deficiency anemia causes important reductions in paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, and after vitamin B(12) therapy the activities of these enzymes returned to near-normal levels.

Vitamin B12 deficiency in a 9-month-old boy

We present a 9-month-old boy with megaloblastic anaemia, neutropenia and hypogammaglobulinaemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency. The deficiency was secondary to prolonged exclusive breastfeeding with inadequate nutritional amounts of vitamin B12 from the mother. There were no clinical or biological signs of maternal anaemia or macrocytosis. Treatment with oral vitamin B12 rapidly improved the biological findings of the child. Vitamin B12 deficiency should be considered in infants older than 2 months presenting with failure to thrive, neurocognitive retardation or even pancytopenia and hypogammaglobulinaemia, even in the absence of any signs of maternal anaemia or macrocytosis. Therefore, evaluation of vitamin B12 status during pregnancy and lactation is necessary in order to prevent B12 deficiency and its possible long-term effects in infants.

CONCLUSION

Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the optimal oral dosage of vitamin B12 in children since limited data on the use of oral B12 substitution are available.

Solid food refusal as the presenting sign of vitamin B12 deficiency in a breastfed infant

Dietary vitamin B(12) (vitB(12)) deficiency, although common in the elderly, is rare in childhood. We report on an exclusively breastfed 8-month-old infant, presenting with persistent refusal of solid foods. Three months later, developmental regression and failure to thrive led to the diagnosis of vitB(12) deficiency, as a consequence of a subclinical pernicious anaemia with vitB(12) deficiency in the mother. Treating the infant with parenteral vitB(12) induced prompt recovery including acceptance of weaning food.

CONCLUSION

This case illustrates refusal of complementary foods as a presenting symptom of vitB(12) deficiency in a breastfed infant. Symptoms, diagnostic tests and treatment of vitamin B(12) deficiency are reviewed. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent irreversible neurological damage.

Assessment of the vitamin B12 status of pregnant women in Nigeria using plasma holotranscobalamin

Maternal vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy is an independent risk factor for neural tube defects and other neurological problems in infants. We determined the vitamin B12 status of 143 pregnant women in Nigeria representing all trimesters who presented to an antenatal clinic in Jos, Nigeria, using holotranscobalamin II levels (holoTCII), which is a measure of the vitamin B12 that is available for uptake into tissues. The holoTCII concentration ranged from 13 to 128 pmol/L. Using a cutoff of 40 pmol/L, 36% of the women were classified as vitamin B12-deficient. HoloTCII concentrations correlated negatively with plasma homocysteine levels (r = −0.24, P = 0.003) and positively with red blood cell folate concentrations (r = 0.28, P < 0.001). These data underscore the importance of supplementing pregnant women in Nigeria with vitamin B12 in order to ensure adequate vitamin B12 status and decrease the risk for neural tube defects.

Cobalamin status in children

Cobalamin and the metabolic markers methylmalonic acid and total homocysteine undergo marked changes during childhood. In breastfed infants a metabolic profile indicative of cobalamin deficiency is common. Symptoms of cobalamin deficiency in children differ with age, presenting a continuum from subtle developmental delay to life-threatening clinical conditions. The symptoms may be difficult to detect, particularly in infants, and there tends to be a diagnostic delay of several months in this age group. Several reports show that even moderate deficiency in children may be harmful, and long-term consequences of neurological deterioration may persist after cobalamin deficiency has been treated. Given the crucial role of cobalamin for normal growth and development, possible widespread infantile deficiency needs attention. Cobalamin deficiency should be considered a differential diagnosis in children with subtle symptoms, and strategies to prevent cobalamin deficiency in mothers and children should be addressed.