Vitamin B12 optic neuropathy in autism.

Abstract

Dietary vitamin B12 deficiency was identified as a cause of partially reversible optic neuropathy in 3 autistic children. All of the affected children presented with gradual visual loss. Examination revealed optic atrophy, and further questioning regarding diet revealed that all 3 children had severe food selectivity and highly stereotyped diets that resulted in an almost total lack of animal products in their diets. Vitamin B12 levels were low in all 3 children. Treatment with intramuscular vitamin B12 and normalization of vitamin B12 levels resulted in improvement of visual functioning in all 3 children. These cases illustrate that food selectivity, a known complication of autism, can result in vitamin deficiency that can cause visual loss and optic atrophy. Physicians must have a high index of suspicion when evaluating children with autism and visual loss to detect this rare cause of optic atrophy.

• Authors: Stacy L Pineles, Robert A Avery, Grant T Liu
• Journal: Pediatrics (Pediatrics) Vol. 126 Issue 4 Pg. e967-70 (Oct 2010) ISSN: 1098-4275 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20855389 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Autistic Disorder (complications)
• Child
• Humans
• Male
• Optic Atrophy (etiology)
• Optic Nerve Diseases (etiology)
• Vitamin B 12 Deficiency (complications)