Vitamin B12
Abstract
The study under consideration examined the effectiveness of oral vitamin B12 treatment in kids who had dietary vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is used in DNA synthesis, and its deficiency leads to megaloblastic anaemia as well as to neuro-motor and physical growth retardation. Forty-seven children from 1 month to 17 years with vitamin B12 levels lower than 200pq/ml were selected for the research. They all had such symptoms as obesity, alopecia areata, amnesia, anaemia, and hypotonia. In the course of their treatment all of them took a 1000ug ampule of oral cyanocobalamine. The results of the study indicated that vitamin B12 levels were restored after high oral vitamin B12 doses. However, lower levels were attained in older children, showing the need of dosage adjustment according to body weight. There was also an increase in the levels of haemoglobin. Therefore, treatment with oral vitamin B12 is efficient for kids with dietary vitamin B12 deficiency.
Critique of the Study
The study used the same dose for all sets of children without considering age and weight. Additionally, metil malonic acid test, whose high levels indicate vitamin B12 deficiency, was not performed due to the lack of funds. However, treatment continued because families took the initiative of administering it. Despite these drawbacks and challenges, the findings are reliable, and medical practitioners can use the knowledge from this study to help older children with vitamin B12 deficiency by administering oral vitamin B12 in higher doses. Furthermore, the information is important in reducing childhood mortality rates resulting from megaloblastic anaemia because of reduced cases of vitamin B12 deficiency among children. Individuals can also be educated on ways of avoiding vitamin deficiency, for instance, by sticking to a diet rich in nutrients of animal source foods.
References
Bahadir, A., Reis, P. G., & Erduran, E. (2014). Oral vitamin B12 treatment is effective for children with nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency. Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 50(9), 721-725.