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Wirthensohn M, Wehrli S, Ljungblad UW, Huemer M. Biochemical, Nutritional, and Clinical Parameters of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Infants: A Systematic Review and Analysis of 292 Cases Published between 1962 and 2022. Nutrients 2023; 15:4960. [PMID: 38068819 PMCID: PMC10708449 DOI: 10.3390/nu15234960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pooled data from published reports on infants with clinically diagnosed vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency were analyzed with the purpose of describing the presentation, diagnostic approaches, and risk factors for the condition to inform prevention strategies. An electronic (PubMed database) and manual literature search following the PRISMA approach was conducted (preregistration with the Open Science Framework, accessed on 15 February 2023). Data were described and analyzed using correlation analyses, Chi-square tests, ANOVAs, and regression analyses, and 102 publications (292 cases) were analyzed. The mean age at first symptoms (anemia, various neurological symptoms) was four months; the mean time to diagnosis was 2.6 months. Maternal B12 at diagnosis, exclusive breastfeeding, and a maternal diet low in B12 predicted infant B12, methylmalonic acid, and total homocysteine. Infant B12 deficiency is still not easily diagnosed. Methylmalonic acid and total homocysteine are useful diagnostic parameters in addition to B12 levels. Since maternal B12 status predicts infant B12 status, it would probably be advantageous to target women in early pregnancy or even preconceptionally to prevent infant B12 deficiency, rather than to rely on newborn screening that often does not reliably identify high-risk children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Wirthensohn
- Department of Pediatrics, Landeskrankenhaus Bregenz, 6900 Bregenz, Austria
| | - Susanne Wehrli
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, University Children’s Hospital, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
- Division of Child and Adolescent Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program “ITINERARE—Innovative Therapies in Rare Diseases”, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulf Wike Ljungblad
- Department of Pediatrics, Vestfold Hospital Trust, NO-3168 Tønsberg, Norway
| | - Martina Huemer
- Department of Pediatrics, Landeskrankenhaus Bregenz, 6900 Bregenz, Austria
- Division of Metabolism and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
- Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, Competence Area Healthcare and Nursing, 6850 Dornbirn, Austria
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Simeone G, Bergamini M, Verga MC, Cuomo B, D’Antonio G, Iacono ID, Mauro DD, Mauro FD, Mauro GD, Leonardi L, Miniello VL, Palma F, Scotese I, Tezza G, Vania A, Caroli M. Do Vegetarian Diets Provide Adequate Nutrient Intake during Complementary Feeding? A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14173591. [PMID: 36079848 PMCID: PMC9459879 DOI: 10.3390/nu14173591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
During the complementary feeding period, any nutritional deficiencies may negatively impact infant growth and neurodevelopment. A healthy diet containing all essential nutrients is strongly recommended by the WHO during infancy. Because vegetarian diets are becoming increasingly popular in many industrialized countries, some parents ask the pediatrician for a vegetarian diet, partially or entirely free of animal-source foods, for their children from an early age. This systematic review aims to evaluate the evidence on how vegetarian complementary feeding impacts infant growth, neurodevelopment, risk of wasted and/or stunted growth, overweight and obesity. The SR was registered with PROSPERO 2021 (CRD 42021273592). A comprehensive search strategy was adopted to search and find all relevant studies. For ethical reasons, there are no interventional studies assessing the impact of non-supplemented vegetarian/vegan diets on the physical and neurocognitive development of children, but there are numerous studies that have analyzed the effects of dietary deficiencies on individual nutrients. Based on current evidence, vegetarian and vegan diets during the complementary feeding period have not been shown to be safe, and the current best evidence suggests that the risk of critical micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies and growth retardation is high: they may result in significantly different outcomes in neuropsychological development and growth when compared with a healthy omnivorous diet such as the Mediterranean Diet. There are also no data documenting the protective effect of vegetarian or vegan diets against communicable diseases in children aged 6 months to 2–3 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Simeone
- AUSL Brindisi 1, ASL Brindisi, 72023 Mesagne, BR, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-339-387-9059
| | | | | | - Barbara Cuomo
- Department of Pediatrics, Belcolle Hospital, 01010 Viterbo, VT, Italy
| | | | | | - Dora Di Mauro
- Department of Primary Cares, AUSL Modena, 41012 Carpi, MO, Italy
| | | | | | - Lucia Leonardi
- Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences Department, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Vito Leonardo Miniello
- Nutrition Unit, Department of Pediatrics, “Giovanni XXIII” Children Hospital, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari, 70126 Bari, BA, Italy
| | - Filomena Palma
- Health District 65, ASL Salerno, 84091 Battipaglia, SA, Italy
| | | | - Giovanna Tezza
- Department of Pediatrics, San Bortolo Hospital, 36100 Vicenza, VI, Italy
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