Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Ümraniye Pediatri Dergisi, cilt.1, ss.10-17, 2025 (TRDizin)
ABSTRACT Objective: Vitamin B12 deficiency is a significant public health concern in pediatrics, as it affects multiple physiological systems, particularly the hematological and neurological systems. This study aims to evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of pediatric patients diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency. By conducting a retrospective analysis of a large pediatric cohort, our study provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical presentations and hematological findings associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. Material and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed cases of children aged 0–18 years with a preliminary diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency, identified using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code, who were diagnosed at the Pediatric Health and Diseases Clinic of Istanbul Medipol University Mega Hospital between 4 January 2019 and 1 January 2024. A total of 2,303 patients were initially identified. Among these, 133 patients were confirmed to have vitamin B12 deficiency, defined as serum B12 levels <200 pg/mL, in accordance with the Turkish Society of Hematology guidelines. Data were collected from the patients’ electronic health records. Results: The cohort consisted of 53% females and 47% males, with a mean age of 25.6 months. The highest incidence of deficiency was in children under two (87.2%). Common symptoms included pallor (46.6%), decreased appetite (43.6%), and fatigue (36.8%). No significant and strong correlation was noted between vitamin B12 and other hematological parameters. Conclusion: Vitamin B12 deficiency is prevalent among young children, especially those under two years old. Although our cohort did not observe cases in adolescents, clinicians should remain aware that deficiency can also emerge during adolescence. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive diagnostic approaches and further research to explore causes and preventive strategies, including dietary influences. Keywords: Anemia; hematologic tests; nutritional deficiencies; pediatrics; signs and symptoms; statistics; vitamin B12 deficiency.