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Status of Vitamin B12, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Manganese, Molybdenum and Cobalt in Severe Acute Malnutrition

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Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

To define the vitamin B12 levels and other micronutrients status in severe acute malnutrition (SAM) children.

Methods

This was a prospective hospital based cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria: Children with severe acute malnutrition as per WHO criteria. Exclusion criteria: (i) Pernicious anemia (ii) Autoimmune gastritis (iii) SAM children on exclusive vitamin B12 supplementation. All enrolled children underwent a detailed clinical history, general physical examination with more emphasis on clinical features of vitamin B12 and other micronutrients deficiencies. Three ml of venous blood was collected to estimate vitamin B12 and other micronutrients. Primary outcome was percentage of deficiency of serum vitamin B12, zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, molybdenum and cobalt in SAM children.

Results

Fifty children were included in the study. The mean age of children was 15.60±12.90 mo with male to female ratio 0.85:1. The common clinical presentation in order of frequency were upper respiratory infection (URI) symptoms 35 (70%), hepatomegaly 24 (48%), Hyperpigmentation 17 (34%), angular cheilitis 14 (28%), tremors 11 (22%), edema 07 (14%), and hypotonia 05 (10%). Anemia was found in 44 (88%) children. Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was 34%. Other micronutrient deficiencies observed were cobalt 24 (100%), copper 05 (12%), zinc 04 (9.5%), and molybdenum 03 (12.5%). No statistical significance was found between clinical symptoms and levels of vitamin B12 with different age and sex.

Conclusions

Prevalence of low vitamin B12 and cobalt were more common than other micronutrients.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Director, Principal, Medical Superintendent, KIMS Hubli, Dr. P K Wari, Professor and HOD, Pediatrics for allowing to conduct this study and their support during study period. Also they thank, Dr. Mahesh, Assistant Professor, Dept. of PSM, KIMS, Hubli for statistical analysis.

Funding

KIMS, Hubli (from Institutional Research Fund)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli-580021, Karnataka, India

    Laxmi Kamath, Vinod H. Ratageri, Apurva S. Kanthi, S. R. Fattepur & R. H. Desai

Authors
  1. Laxmi Kamath
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  2. Vinod H. Ratageri
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  3. Apurva S. Kanthi
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  4. S. R. Fattepur
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  5. R. H. Desai
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Contributions

LK, VHR: Concept and designed the study, analysed data and drafted manuscript; ASK: Helped in collecting the case, analysed and interpreted the data; SRF, RHD: Helped in collecting the cases, supervised at site, analysed and interpreted the data. All authors reviewed the systematic review and revised the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript. VHR will act as guarantor for this manuscript.

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Correspondence to Vinod H. Ratageri.

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Kamath, L., Ratageri, V.H., Kanthi, A.S. et al. Status of Vitamin B12, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Manganese, Molybdenum and Cobalt in Severe Acute Malnutrition. Indian J Pediatr 90, 988–993 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-023-04520-0

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