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Assessment of Iron, Folate and Vitamin B12 Status in Severe Acute Malnutrition

The Indian Journal of Pediatrics volume 82, pages 511–514 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives

To assess iron, folate and vitamin B12 status in hospitalized children aged between 6 mo to 5 y with severe acute malnutrition and its correlation with their clinico-epidemiological profile.

Methods

The study was conducted on 50 children with severe acute malnutrition. Anthropometric measurements were taken to determine their nutritional status. The demographic profile and relevant information of individual patient were collected by using structured proforma and an informed consent was taken for enrolling the children into the study. Serum ferritin, folate and vitamin B12 was estimated using electrochemiluminiscence (ECL) method.

Results

Seventy eight percent patients had weight/height (WT/HT) Z score < −3 standard deviation (3SD), 72 % with mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) <11.5 cm and 22 % of them had edematous malnutrition. Anemia was prevalent in 47(94 %) and there was significant correlation between WT/HT < −3SD and vitamin B 12 deficiency (p = 0.015). Significantly higher number of these patients had vitamin B12 deficiency as compared to folate and iron deficiency (p = 0.0006 each).

Conclusions

Vitamin B12 deficiency was more common than iron and folate deficiencies in these patients with severe acute malnutrition.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the kind help from the HOD, department of Biochemistry.

Conflict of Interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, RNT Medical College, Udaipur, 313001, Rajasthan, India

    Taorem Yaikhomba, Lakhan Poswal & Suresh Goyal

Authors
  1. Taorem Yaikhomba
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  2. Lakhan Poswal
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  3. Suresh Goyal
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Correspondence to Taorem Yaikhomba.

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Yaikhomba, T., Poswal, L. & Goyal, S. Assessment of Iron, Folate and Vitamin B12 Status in Severe Acute Malnutrition. Indian J Pediatr 82, 511–514 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-014-1600-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-014-1600-7

Keywords

  • Severe acute malnutrition
  • Ferritin
  • Folate
  • Vitamin B12