Open AccessTransient vitamin B12 deficiency of maternal cause: case report
Author(s) -
Ludmila Feitosa,
Danilo Florentino Pereira,
Marianna de Freitas Maia,
Maria Fernandes Neta,
Nahara Jurema,
Karine Couto Sarmento Teixeira
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
residência pediátrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2236-6814
DOI - 10.25060/residpediatr-2020.v10n3-98
Subject(s) - vitamin b12 , megaloblastic anemia , medicine , methylmalonic acid , pregnancy , cobalamin , anemia , asymptomatic , cyanocobalamin , physiology , pediatrics , endocrinology , biology , genetics
Vitamin B12 or cyanocobalamin is obtained from the intake of food of restricted animal origin, especially milk, meat and eggs. During pregnancy, the fetus reserves vitamin B12 in the liver. This reserve is able to provide the needs of this vitamin in the first months of life. Our case refers to a 6-month-old infant in exclusive breastfeeding, who started a picture of loss of neuropsychomotor development, associated with hypotonia and megaloblastic anemia. Exams showed low serum levels of vitamin B12 and increased values of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine. Maternal research was performed, even if asymptomatic and without reports of comorbidities. Patient presented progressive improvement with vitamin B12 replacement, which was subsequently suspended, remaining only with the diet and with good evolution.