title: [Psychomotor regression due to vitamin B12deficiency].
abstract: The vitamin B12reserves of newborns are dependent on transplacental transfer and secondarily on food intake. This vitamin is involved in hematopoiesis and in neurological development. We report the case of a severe vitamin B12deficiency in a 7-month-old infant. A neurological evaluation performed at 5 months of age for psychomotor regression found nonspecific cortical atrophy. The infant was hospitalized for impaired general condition and worsening of neurological symptoms. Examinations revealed bicytopenia with normocytic anemia (Hb: 7.4g/dl, MCV : 84μm3). The combination of psychomotor regression, malnutrition, and anemia suggested there was a deficiency, specifically of vitamin B12(blood values of < 50pg/mL, normal range=200-1000); bone marrow aspiration showed characteristics of megaloblastic dystrophy. Psychomotor regression associated with hematological disorders and a failure to thrive can be related to vitamin B12deficiency. Replacement therapy must be established as early as possible to avoid potentially irreversible neurological damage.
authors.affiliation: Service de réanimation pédiatrique, CHU-Lenval-Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, 57, avenue de la Californie, 06200 Nice, France. Electronic address: julecalta@live.fr.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caltagirone
authors.affiliation: Service de réanimation pédiatrique, CHU-Lenval-Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, 57, avenue de la Californie, 06200 Nice, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dupont
authors.affiliation: Service de réanimation pédiatrique, CHU-Lenval-Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, 57, avenue de la Californie, 06200 Nice, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Afanetti
authors.affiliation: Service de réanimation pédiatrique, CHU-Lenval-Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, 57, avenue de la Californie, 06200 Nice, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gondon
authors.affiliation: Service de réanimation pédiatrique, CHU-Lenval-Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, 57, avenue de la Californie, 06200 Nice, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dupont
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000209:etiology; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000150:complications*