[Severe megaloblastic anemia in 6-month-old girl breast-fed by a vegetarian mother].
The case of a young girl, born to a woman who was a vegetarian for 18 years, is presented. She had been exclusively breast-fed until the age of 6 months when a severe anemia was discovered with an extremely low hemoglobin level (1.9 g/100 ml). Her physical growth and psychomotor development had been normal until 3 months of age. Bone marrow showed megaloblastosis and the serum B12 level was low (45 ng/l). B12 levels were also decreased in both parents (110 and 105 ng/l) and in the mother's milk (12 ng/l). Treatment with parenteral B12 was successful. The importance of a careful dietetic inquiry in the case of an infant with megaloblastic anemia is stressed and likewise, as a preventive measure during all normal pregnancies.
Cheron
G
G
Département de Pédiatrie, Hôpital des Enfants-Malades, Paris.
Girot
R
R
Zittoun
J
J
Mouy
R
R
Schmitz
J
J
Rey
J
J
D000748:Anemia, Macrocytic / Q000209:etiology*; D000749:Anemia, Megaloblastic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001942:Breast Feeding; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
Anémie mégaloblastique sévère chez une enfant de six mois allaitée par une mère végétarienne.