Abstract | AIM: Despite being one of common preventable deficiency disorders, vitamin B12 (vit-B12) deficiency can lead to serious health problems both in children and adult. The familiar treatment through parenteral route for vit-B12 deficiency frequently leads to poor adherence, and adequate response to treatment has lead to interest in oral supplementation. This study investigates the efficacy of oral vit-B12 treatment in children with nutritional vit-B12 deficiency. METHODS: Forty-seven children (from 1 month to 17 years) with vit-B12 levels below 200 pg/mL were allocated either of two study groups: Group 1 (1-20 months) and Group 2 (6-17 years) which were subdivided according to the duration of treatment (Group 1A&2A: 4 months; Group 1B&2B: 8 months of 1000 μg oral vit-B12, every day for a week, every other day for 2 weeks, 2 days a week for 2 weeks, then once a week). RESULTS: Vit-B12 levels among all groups were significantly restored following high oral vit-B12 doses (P = 0.013, P = 0.001), the regimen being more effective in Group1A and Group1B. Correlation analysis of serum vit-B12 levels and age at the end of treatment revealed a decreasing trend with the increasing patient age (corelation respectively -65.2%, P = 0.08; -35.4%; P = 0.25). CONCLUSION: Data from this study indicate that oral vit-B12 (1000 μg) for 4 months is effective, giving clinicians more choice, for treatment of children with nutritional vit-B12 deficiency. However, despite this high dose, lower levels were achieved in older children indicating the necessity of dosage adjustment in accordance with body weight.
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Authors | Aysenur Bahadir, Pınar Gökçe Reis, Erol Erduran |
Journal | Journal of paediatrics and child health
(J Paediatr Child Health)
Vol. 50
Issue 9
Pg. 721-5
(Sep 2014)
ISSN: 1440-1754 [Electronic] Australia |
PMID | 24944005
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2014 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians). |
Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Administration, Oral
- Adolescent
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Hemoglobins
- Humans
- Infant
- Male
- Prospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
- Vitamin B 12
(blood, therapeutic use)
- Vitamin B 12 Deficiency
(blood, drug therapy)
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