Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient. Also known as cobalamin, it is a water-soluble vitamin that is mainly found in animal-based products like meat and dairy. The primary functions of this nutrient are to maintain healthy nerve functions and to help make Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and DNA the genetic material in all of your cells. It also helps prevent megaloblastic anaemia, characterised by a significant drop in the number of RBCs.
It is important to note that low levels of vitamin B12 can affect anyone, including children. The amount of vitamin B12 children need increases with age, with an infant between 7 and 12 months old requiring just 0.5 mcg daily and a child between 9 and 13 years old needing 1.8 mcg. On the contrary, the daily recommended amount for teenagers jumps to 2.4 mcg, which is the same amount recommended for adults, according to the National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements.
If children do not get adequate levels of this essential vitamin, it may lead to various health problems and complications.
How Vitamin B12 Deficiency Affects Children
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Sumit Chakravarty, Associate Director and Head NICU - Paediatrics and Neonatology, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, says, "Since the body is unable to produce vitamin B12 on its own, you need to get it from animal-based foods or supplements. A deficiency of vitamin B12 in children can bring about a range of symptoms, including fatigue and irritability, among others."
Children may also experience gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, vomiting, or diarrhoea, along with a loss of weight and delays in achieving developmental milestones like walking, talking, sitting, and crawling.
In some children, low levels of vitamin B12 can also lead to neurological issues like poor memory and reduced sensation of touch or tingling of hands and feet.
Additionally, glossitis of the tongue, which is characterised by swelling or inflammation of the tongue, is one of the symptoms of megaloblastic anaemia in children, Dr Chakravarty adds.
What Causes B12 Deficiency In Children?
According to a study published in the Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition, researchers examined vitamin B12 deficiency in over 500 primary school children and found that around 34%, or one out of every three students, suffered from a B12 deficiency.
It was found that children who did not consume animal products were nearly twice as likely to have low B12 levels, and students with a low Body Mass Index (BMI) were also more likely to be deficient.
Dr Chakravarty also lists some possible causes of B12 deficiency in children, which include:
- Inadequate consumption of vitamin B12
- Inflammation of the stomach lining, or gastritis
- Children with pernicious anaemia, a rare genetic disorder
- Crohn's disease and celiac disease
- Transcobalamin II deficiency
Ways To Mitigate The Risk
“Eating enough meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, and eggs helps children avoid vitamin B12 insufficiency,” says Dr Chakravarty.
However, for those who are vegan or vegetarian, he recommends including fortified foods, such as cereals and plant-based milks.
The doctor adds, “Consider B12 supplements or foods fortified with vitamin B12 if your child does not eat animal products or has a medical condition that affects the absorption of nutrients by the body.”
In addition, parents need to ensure that their children undergo regular medical check-ups to monitor B12 levels and address any underlying health conditions that might affect B12 absorption.
Moreover, note that breastfeeding mothers should ensure adequate B12 intake to support their infant's needs.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you are dealing with any health issues to get the necessary treatment.]