Published Paper Details:

Background: Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies, which is associated with poor cognitive development and growth. Objectives: To study the status of vitamin B12 deficiency in children with SAM attending NMCTH pediatrics department. Results: Among 95 children enrolled in this study, 54 (56.85%) were vitamin B12 deficient. Among vitamin B12 deficient children, 38(70.37%) were male, and 16(29.62%) were female. The mean age of vitamin B12 deficient children was 18.91 months, and the mean vitamin B12 level of the overall patient was 299.7 pg/ml. Out of 54 vitamins B12 deficient children, the majority, 51.57%, had severe anemia, 72.63% belong to upper lower socioeconomic status. The overall majority were boys, about 55.89%, and 42.10% were female. Conclusions: Micronutrients play a central part in the metabolism and maintenance of tissue function. The present study concludes a relatively high prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in severely malnourished children. Efforts should be directed to prevent its deficiency in pregnant and breastfeeding women and their infants with special attention in malnourished children. Deficiency of vitamin B12 should be considered in all cases with SAM children regardless of blood indices.