20:16
Thursday 13 October 2022
I wrote – Omnia Qalawun:
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common problem among children, causing them a host of unpleasant symptoms and, if left untreated, can threaten them with serious complications.
In the following report, “Consultation” examines the causes, symptoms, and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency in children, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The importance of vitamin B12 for children
Vitamin B12 is of great importance for the health of newborns, because it helps brain development and also collaborates with iron in the production of red blood cells.
Read also: Vitamin B12 Deficiency: How Does It Affect the Fetus During Pregnancy?
Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency in children
In the first few months after birth, the baby receives its nourishment from breastfeeding.If breast milk lacks one of the nutrients, this will lead to a deficiency in his body.
The same is true for vitamin B12, where the mother’s disinterest in eating foods rich in it or completely avoiding her from following a vegetarian diet leads to a decrease in its levels in her body, which also causes a shortage of breast milk.
Furthermore, the mother’s vitamin B12 deficiency may not be related to her diet, but rather stems from other reasons, most notably:
Performing bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass.
Pernicious anemia.
Intestinal disorders causing malabsorption.
You may be interested in: Despite its benefits .. 8 annoying symptoms of increased levels of vitamin B12 in the body
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Children
A study published on the National Institutes of Health (NHI) website showed that symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in children include:
Lack of appetite.
– Weight loss.
Inflammation of the tongue.
Inflammation of the skin.
– Nervousness.
Delayed growth.
Complications of vitamin B12 deficiency in children
Vitamin B12 deficiency threatens children with serious complications, such as pernicious anemia and brain damage.
Tips to protect children from vitamin B12 deficiency
To prevent vitamin B12 deficiency in babies, the mother should follow some guidelines, the most important of which are:
Beware of consuming natural sources of vitamin B12, such as meat, fish, dairy and eggs, for more foods, click down here.
If the mother is a vegetarian or has malabsorption, she should take a vitamin B12 supplement under the supervision of a doctor.
