Vitamin B 12 Deficiency and Children

Vitamin B12 is a B complex vitamin, essential for the formation of red blood cells, cellular repair and synthesis of DNA.



Human body reserves B 12 for about 3 to 5 years in adults but in children the signs of deficiency occur at a faster pace.

The main food sources of Vitamin B 12 are meat and dairy products. A child must be fed with the required amount of this vitamin in order to prevent improper formation of red blood cells and undergo a normal DNA synthesis.



The major causes of B 12 deficiency in children are inadequate intake of the vitamin, congenital deficiency, vegetarianism, pernicious anemia and other medical causes. Apart from inadequate and imbalanced diet, any process interfering with gastric acid production, can also lead to vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vitamin B 12 deficiency in children often leads to macrocytic anemia, a blood problem resulting in the production of improper red blood cells and a decreased ability to carry oxygen.



Children with this deficiency usually show symptoms of reduced appetite, diarrhea, tingling of hands and feet, paleness, short breath, fatigue, weakness and sore mouth. Deficiency also shows menstrual symptoms, psychological symptoms, and nervous system problems.



The advanced cases of severe deficiency may also lead to mental disorder and further contribute to the onset of Alzheimers disease or other related dementias.
This is because Vitamin B 12 is a vital vitamin for DNA synthesis and neurological functions. The deficiency of this vitamin results in a wide spectrum of hematological and neuropsychiatry disorders.



Most common disorder apart from Alzheimers, occurring as a result of Vitamin B 12 deficiency include psychiatric disorders, including impaired memory, irritability, depression, dementia and, rarely, psychosis.

Decreased levels of B12 can also be judged by chronic disorders such as liver or kidney disease and alcoholism. The deficiency can be treated with dietary changes by including more amounts of egg, poultry, fish and dairy products.



A soyabean product called tempeh is also believed to be a good source of vitamin b 12. Some of the medicines such as phenytoin, metformin and methotrexate are also used for curing the symptoms of Vitamin B 12 deficiency.