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ERIC Number: EJ978404
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Oct
Pages: 3
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0012-1622
EISSN: N/A
West Syndrome in an Infant with Vitamin B[subscript 12] Deficiency in the Absence of Macrocytic Anaemia
Erol, Ilknur; Alehan, Fusun; Gumus, Ayten
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, v49 n10 p774-776 Oct 2007
Vitamin B[subscript 12] deficiency in infants often produces haematological and neurological deficits, including macrocytic anaemia, neurodevelopmental delay or regression, irritability, weakness, hypotonia, ataxia, apathy, tremor, and seizures. The diagnosis of vitamin B[subscript 12] deficiency can be difficult when the typical macrocytic anaemia is absent. We report the case of a 10-month-old female diagnosed with West syndrome associated with vitamin B[subscript 12] deficiency but without macrocytic anaemia caused by nutritional inadequacy in the mother. The patient's motor skills and cognitive development were normal until she was 9 months old, when she began to exhibit a series of sudden flexions of the head, trunk, arms, and legs. She was exclusively breast-fed and had received no vitamin supplementation. Results of electroencephalography (EEG) indicated modified hypsarrhythmia and the patient was diagnosed as having West syndrome. Synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone was administered and although her spasms had resolved, the patient remained apathic and could not sit without assistance. EEG results indicated generalized slow activity. After she was diagnosed as having vitamin B[subscript 12] deficiency, parenteral treatment with vitamin B[subscript 12] was initiated. Her symptoms resolved and EEG was completely normal. When she was 20 months old she exhibited an age-appropriate developmental and neurological profile. To our knowledge, this is the first report of West syndrome as a presenting symptom of vitamin B[subscript 12] deficiency. (Contains 1 figure and 1 footnote.)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A