Vitamin B12 deficiency in a one-year-old, exclusively breast fed child

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a rare condition in children. The most frequent cause is vegetarian diet. In infants it can happen in breast fed children whose mother is on this diet. The clinical feature of the disease presents with megaloblastic anemia and symptoms such as: weakness, refusing to eat, hypotonia, paraesthesia, delayed or regressed development. We present a case report of vitamin B12 deficiency in a one-year-old, exclusively breast fed child. The mother's diet during pregnancy and breast-feeding were normal. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the mother's diet and her haematological status during pregnancy and breast-feeding should be carefully monitored. It is necessary to introduce a variety of foods to expand the infant's diet at the proper time. The diagnosis of anaemia in the mother and/or in the child requires a careful investigation.