[Breastfeeding and vegan diet].
Vegan diet in lactating women can induce vitamin B12 deficiency for their children with risk of an impaired neurological development. A 9.5-month-old girl presented with impaired growth and severe hypotonia. She had a macrocytic anemia secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency. MRI showed cerebral atrophy. She was exclusively breastfed. Her mother was also vitamin B12 deficient, secondary to a vegan diet. She had a macrocytic anemia when discharged from the maternity. Vegan diet is a totally inadequate regimen for pregnant and lactating women, especially for their children. Prevention is based on screening, information and vitamin supplementation.
Wagnon
J
J
Département de Médecine de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, CHU Hôpital Sud, 16, boulevard de Bulgarie, 35056 Rennes Cedex 2.
Cagnard
B
B
Bridoux-Henno
L
L
Tourtelier
Y
Y
Grall
J-Y
JY
Dabadie
A
A
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001942:Breast Feeding; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007774:Lactation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology