Association of Serum Folate and Vitamin B_(12) Concentrations with Obesity in Chinese Children and Adolescents

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the associations of serum folate and/or vitamin B12 concentrations with obesity among Chinese children and adolescents.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted including 3,079 Chinese children and adolescents,aged 6 to 17 years,from Jiangsu,China.Anthropometric indices,such as,children's body mass index(BMI),BMI z-scores,waist circumference,and waist-to-height ratio were utilized.Multivariable linear regression and generalized additive models were used to investigate the associations of serum folate and vitamin B12 levels with anthropometric indices and odds of obesity.Results We observed that serum vitamin B12 concentrations were inversely associated with all anthropometric indices and the odds of general obesity[odds ratio(OR)=0.68;95%confidence interval(CI)=0.59,0.78]and abdominal obesity(OR=0.68;95%CI=0.60,0.77).When compared to participants with both serum vitamin levels in the two middle quartiles,those with both serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in the highest quartile were less prone to general(OR=0.31,95%CI=0.19,0.50)or abdominal obesity(OR=0.46,95%CI=0.31,0.67).Conversely,participants with vitamin B12 levels in the lowest quartile alongside folate levels in the highest quartile had higher odds of abdominal obesity(OR=2.06,95%CI=1.09,3.91).Conclusion Higher serum vitamin B12 concentrations,but not serum folate concentrations,were associated with lower odds of childhood obesity.Children and adolescents with high levels of vitamin B12 and folate were less likely to be obese.

Vitamin B12 deficiency in dialysis patients:risk factors,diagnosis,complications,and treatment:A comprehensive review

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a significant concern among patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis.However,there hasn’t been extensive research conducted on this particular patient group.The reported incidence rates vary widely,ranging from 20%to 90%,reflecting the complexity of its diagnosis.Dialysis patients often face multiple nutritional deficiencies,including a lack of essential vitamins,due to factors such as dietary restrictions,impaired absorption,and nutrient loss during dialysis.Diagnosing vitamin B12 deficiency in these patients is challenging,and addressing it is crucial to prevent complications and improve their overall quality of life.This review paper delves into the available body of evidence on vitamin B12 deficiency in dialysis patients,examining the contributing risk factors,diagnostic challenges,potential complications,and available treatment options.It provides a well-rounded perspective on the topic,making it a valuable resource for researchers,healthcare practitioners,and policymakers interested in addressing the nutritional needs of dialysis patients.

Neurological Manifestations of Vitamin B12 Deficiency: About a Case

The authors report a case of deficient sensory neuropathy secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency, diagnosed in the neurology department of the Sino-Central African Friendship University Hospital in Bangui. The diagnosis was made possible by electroneuromyography which showed subclinical neurological damage associated with hematological damage (anemia). Through this observation, we recall the diagnostic criteria of the disease in a context of difficult medical practice. .

Association between metformin and vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes

Diabetes mellitus(DM)is still one of the most common diseases worldwide,and its prevalence is still increasing globally.According to the American and European recommendations,metformin is considered a first-line oral hypoglycemic drug for controlling type 2 DM(T2DM)patients.Metformin is the ninth most often prescribed drug in the world,and at least 120 million diabetic people are estimated to receive the drug.In the last 20 years,there has been increasing evidence of vitamin B12 deficiency among metformin-treated diabetic patients.Many studies have reported that vitamin B12 deficiency is related to the malabsorption of vitamin B12 among metformin-treated T2DM patients.Vitamin B12 deficiency may have a very bad complication for the T2DM patient.In this review,we will focus on the effect of metformin on the absorption of vitamin B12 and on its proposed mechanisms in hindering vitamin B12 absorption.In addition,the review will describe the clinical outcomes of vitamin B12 deficiency in metformintreated T2DM.

妊娠期糖尿病患者炎症因子、FA和Vit B-12水平检测及临床意义分析

目的研究分析妊娠期糖尿病患者炎症因子、叶酸(Folic Acid,FA)、维生素B12(Vitamin B-12,Vit B-12)的检测结果。方法回顾性选取2020年1月—2022年1月福清市妇幼保健院的60例妊娠期糖尿病患者的临床资料为观察组,同期60例健康孕妇的临床资料为对照组。两组均行疾病指标(空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素)、炎症因子[C反应蛋白(C-reactive Protein,CRP)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(Tumor Necrosis Factor-α,TNF-α)、白介素-6(Interleukin-6,IL-6)、同型半胱氨酸(Homocysteine,HCY)]、FA、Vit B-12检测,比较两组检测结果差异,分析上述指标的临床意义。结果观察组空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素、血清CRP、TNF-α、IL-6、HCY水平较对照组高,观察组FA、Vit B-12水平较对照组低,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。高HCY亚组患者的FA、Vit B-12较低HCY亚组低,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。妊娠期糖尿病患者的HCY与FA、Vit B-12呈负相关性(r=-0.598、-0.617,P均<0.05)。结论妊娠期糖尿病患者病发后有明显的炎症因子水平上升、FA和Vit B-12水平下降现象,其中患者HCY水平的上升与FA、Vit B-12水平的下降明显相关。

西瓜霜联合维生素B12溶液在小儿口腔溃疡中的应用效果

目的探讨西瓜霜联合维生素B12溶液在小儿口腔溃疡中的应用效果。方法选取2019年1月至2020年1月滨州市沾化区下洼镇卫生院收治的66例口腔溃疡患儿,按照随机数字表法分为对照组和研究组,每组各33例。对照组采用维生素B12溶液治疗,研究组在对照组基础上联合西瓜霜治疗。比较两组免疫功能、疼痛程度及复发率。结果治疗后,研究组CD4^(+)、CD8^(+)、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)水平均优于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后1、2、3d,研究组疼痛评分均低于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组复发率低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论西瓜霜联合维生素B12溶液在小儿口腔溃疡中应用可提高患儿免疫功能,减轻疼痛程度,降低复发率。

Prostaglandin E_1 in conjunction with high doses of vitamin B_(12) improves nerve conduction velocity of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

BACKGROUND： Prostaglandin El improves diabetic peripheral neuropathy in symptoms and sensory threshold. Vitamin Bi and methyl-vitamin BI2 improve microcirculation to peripheral nerve tissue and promote neurotrophy. OBJECTIVE： To observe motor nerve and sensory nerve conduction velocity in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, prior to and after treatment with prostaglandin El, vitamin B I and different doses of vitamin B 12. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled experiment, performed at the Department of Neurology, Beijing Hantian Central Hospital, between February 2002 and September 2007. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 122 patients with type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy; 73 males and 49 females were included. All patients met the diagnostic criteria of diabetes mellitus, as determined by the World Health Organization in 1999 and 2006, and also the diagnostic criteria of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. For each subject, conduction disorders in the median nerve and in the common peroneal nerve were observed using electromyogram. Also, after diet and drug treatment, the blood glucose level of subjects was observed to be at a satisfactory level for more than two weeks, and the symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy were not alleviated. METHODS： All patients were randomly divided into the following three groups. A control group （n = 40）, in which, 100 mg vitamin B1 and 500 μg vitamin BI2 were intramuscularly injected. A vitamin B12 low-dose treated group （ n = 42）, in which 10 μ g prostaglandin E1 in 250 mL physiological saline was intravenously injected once a day and 100 mg vitamin BI and 500 11 g vitamin BI2 was intramuscularly injected once a day. Lastly, a vitamin B12 high-dose treated group （n = 40）, in which administration was the same as in the vitamin B12 low-dose treated group, except that 500 11 g vitamin BI2 was replaced by 1mg vitamin B12. Administration was performed for four weeks for each group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The motor nerve and sensory nerve conduction velocity of the median nerve and the common peroneal nerve were determined using an electromyogram electronic stimulator （Neuropack-11, Nihon Kohden, Japan）. RESULTS： The motor nerve and sensory nerve conduction velocities of the median nerve and the common peroneal nerve were significantly faster after treatment compared to before treatment in all 3 groups （P 〈 0.05q）.01）. Compared with the control group, the motor nerve and sensory nerve conduction velocities were significantly faster in the vitamin B12 low-dose treated group and in the vitamin B12 high-dose treated group （P 〈 0.01）. The motor nerve and sensory nerve conduction velocities were significantly faster in the vitamin B12 high-dose treated group compared to the vitamin B12 low-dose treated group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Prostaglandin E1, in conjunction with vitamin B12, can improve neural functional states and speed up peripheral motor nerve and sensory nerve conduction velocity in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. In addition, better effects are achieved using prostaglandin E1 in conjunction with high doses of vitamin B 12.

Role of vitamin B12 deficiency in ischemic stroke risk and outcome

Currently,ischemic stroke is the most prevalent form of stroke compared to hemorrhagic and there is a high incidence in older adults.Nutrition is a modifiable risk factor for stroke.B-vitamins are part of a metabolic network that integrates nutritional signals with biosynthesis,redox homeostasis,and epigenetics.These vitamins play an essential role in the regulation of cell proliferation,stress resistance,and embryo development.A deficiency in vitamin B12 is common in older adults and has been reported to be implicated in ischemic stroke.The aim of this review was to investigate whether vitamin B12 deficiencies impact the risk and outcome of ischemic stroke.Clinical data from our literature review strongly suggest that a deficiency in vitamin B12 is a risk factor for ischemic stroke and possible outcome.Our survey of the literature has identified that there is a gap in the understanding of the mechanisms through which a vitamin B12 deficiency leads to an increased risk of stroke and outcome.A vitamin B12 deficiency can increase homocysteine levels,which are a well-established risk factor for ischemic stroke.Another potential mechanism through which vitamin B12 deficient may impact neurological function and increase risk of stroke,is changes in myelination,however this link requires further investigation.Further studies are required in model systems to understand how a vitamin B12 deficiency changes the brain.

A preliminary study on the teratogenesis of dexamethasone and the preventive effect of vitamin B_(12 )on murine embryonic palatal shelf fusion in vitro

Excessive dexamethasone (Dex) administrated into pregnant mice during critical periods of palatal development can produce a high incidence of cleft palate. Its mechanisms remain unknown. Vitamin B12 has been shown to antagonize the tera- togenic effects of Dex, which, however, remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the effects of Dex and vitamin B12 on murine embryonic palatal shelf fusion using organ culture of murine embryonic shelves. The explanted palatal shelves on em- bryonic day 14 (E14) were cultured for 24, 48, 72 or 96 h in different concentrations of Dex and/or vitamin B12. The palatal shelves were examined histologically for the morphological alterations on the medial edge epithelium (MEE) and fusion rates among different groups. It was found that the palatal shelves were not fused at 72 h or less of culture in Dex group, while they were completely fused in the control and vitamin B12-treated groups at 72 and 96 h, respectively. The MEE still existed and proliferated. In Dex+vitamin B12 group the palatal shelves were fused at each time point in a similar rate to controls. These results may suggest that Dex causes teratogenesis of murine embryonic palatal shelves and vitamin B12 prevents the teratogenic effect of Dex on palatogenesis on murine embryos in vitro.

Vitamin B complex and vitamin B12 levels after peripheral nerve injury

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether tissue levels of vitamin B complex and vitamin B12 were altered after crush-induced peripheral nerve injury in an experimental rat model. A total of 80 male Wistar rats were randomized into one control（n = 8） and six study groups（1, 6, 12, 24 hours, 3, and 7 days after experimental nerve injury; n = 12 for each group）. Crush-induced peripheral nerve injury was performed on the sciatic nerves of rats in six study groups. Tissue samples from the sites of peripheral nerve injury were obtained at 1, 6, 12, 24 hours, 3 and 7 days after experimental nerve injury. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that tissue levels of vitamin B complex and vitamin B12 in the injured sciatic nerve were significantly greater at 1 and 12 hours after experimental nerve injury, while they were significantly lower at 7 days than in control group. Tissue level of vitamin B_（12） in the injured sciatic nerve was significantly lower at 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours than in the control group. These results suggest that tissue levels of vitamin B complex and vitamin B12 vary with progression of crush-induced peripheral nerve injury, and supplementation of these vitamins in the acute period may be beneficial for acceleration of nerve regeneration.

Long-term metformin therapy and vitamin B12 deficiency: An association to bear in mind

To date,metformin remains the first-line oral glucose-lowering drug used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes thanks to its well-established long-term safety and efficacy profile.Indeed,metformin is the most widely used oral insulinsensitizing agent,being prescribed to more than 100 million people worldwide,including patients with prediabetes,insulin resistance,and polycystic ovary syndrome.However,over the last decades several observational studies and meta-analyses have reported a significant association between long-term metformin therapy and an increased prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency.Of note,evidence suggests that long-term and high-dose metformin therapy impairs vitamin B12 status.Vitamin B12(also referred to as cobalamin)is a water-soluble vitamin that is mainly obtained from animal-sourced foods.At the cellular level,vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor for enzymes that play a critical role in DNA synthesis and neuroprotection.Thus,vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to a number of clinical consequences that include hematologic abnormalities(e.g.,megaloblastic anemia and formation of hypersegmented neutrophils),progressive axonal demyelination and peripheral neuropathy.Nevertheless,no definite guidelines are currently available for vitamin B12 deficiency screening in patients on metformin therapy,and vitamin B12 deficiency remains frequently unrecognized in such individuals.Therefore,in this“field of vision”article we propose a list of criteria for a cost-effective vitamin B12 deficiency screening in metformin-treated patients,which could serve as a practical guide for identifying individuals at high risk for this condition.Moreover,we discuss additional relevant topics related to this field,including:(1)The lack of consensus about the exact definition of vitamin B12 deficiency;(2)The definition of reliable biomarkers of vitamin B12 status;(3)Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency other than metformin therapy that should be identified promptly in metformin-treated patients for a proper differential diagnosis;and(4)Potential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying metformin-induced vitamin B12 deficiency.Finally,we briefly review basic concepts related to vitamin B12 supplementation for the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency,particularly when this condition is induced by metformin.

Use of packed-fiber solid-phase extraction for sample clean-up and preconcentration of vitamin B_(12) before determination

A rapid and simple preconcentration step applying packed-fiber solid-phase extraction columns has been investigated to vitamin B12. The extraction performance of the new method was investigated preliminarily on vitamin functional drink. The analysis used a reversed-phase C18 column, with a photo-diode array detector at 220 nm. The samples were preconcentrated with packed-fiber solid-phase extraction columns. Good linearity was observed in vitamin functional drink. The repeatability of extraction performance, expressed as relative standard deviations, was from 3.5% to 4.3%. The limit of detection （LOD） is 5 ng mL^-1 （S/N = 3）. Finally, the method had been applied for the determination of vitamin B12 in vitamin functional drink.

Folate and vitamin B12 in idiopathic male infertility

Although methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, a folate enzyme gene, has been associated with idiopathic male infertility, few studies have examined other folate-related metabolites and genes. We investigated whether idiopathic male infertility is associated with variants in folate, vitamin B12 （B12） and total homocysteine （tHcy）-related genes and measured these metabolites in blood. We conducted a case-control study that included 153 men with idiopathic infertility and 184 fertile male controls recruited at the Fertility Center and Antenatal Care Center, University Hospital, Malmo and Lund, Sweden. Serum folate, red cell folate （RCF）, serum B12, plasma tHcy and semen quality were measured. Subjects were genotyped for 20 common variants in 12 genes related to folate/B12/ homocysteine metabolism. Metabolite concentrations and genotype distributions were compared between cases and controls using linear and logistic regression with adjustment for covariates. The phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase （PEMT） M 175V and TCblR rs173665 polymorphisms were significantly associated with infertility （P=0.01 and P=0.009, respectively）, but not with semen quality. Among non-users of supplements, infertile men had lower serum folate concentrations than fertile men （12.89 vs. 14.73 nmoll^- 1 P=0.02）, but there were no significant differences in RCF, B 12 or tHcy. Folate, B 12 and tHcy concentrations were not correlated with any semen parameters. This study provides little support for low folate or B12 status in the pathogenesis of idiopathic male infertility. Although additional data are needed to confirm these initial findings, our results suggest that PEMTand TCbIR, genes involved in choline and B12 metabolism, merit further investigation in idiopathic male infertility.

Influence of Different Ratios of Cobalt and Copper Supplementation on Vitamin B_(12) Status and Nutrient Utilization in Sheep

The present study is aimed to investigate the effects of different ratios of cobalt （Co） and copper （Cu） supplementation on vitamin B12 status and nutrient utilization in sheep. Twenty wether lambs with an average weight （22.9 ± 0.8） kg were randomly divided into five groups and fed with the control diet which was supplied with 0.3 mg kg^-1 DM （dry matter） of Co to the basal diet, and four supplemental diets which were supplied either 0.3 or 0.6 mg kg^-1 DM of Co and 10 or 20 mg kg^-1 DM of Cu to the basal diet, respectively for 8 wk. The supplementation of Co and Cu with different levels improved plasma vitamin B12 concentration which was increased with feeding time, but stable after 6 wk. Vitamin B12 status was accounted for Co intake with no combined effects by supplementation of different levels of Co and Cu. The plasma concentrations of methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, folic acid, and glucose did not show the consistent results with plasma vitamin B12, which was considered to be resulted from Cu action. Addition of Co and Cu with different levels had no influence on digestibility of dry matter （DM）, organic matter （OM）, crude protein （CP） and nitrogen free （NFE）, and N metabolism （P〉 0.05）, but the digestibility of fat and fibre （P〈0.01） was enhanced by supplementation of 0.3 mg kg^-1 DM of Co and 20 mg kg^-1 DM of Cu. In conclusion, the supplementation of Co and Cu with different levels has no influence on vitamin B12 status. The optimum ratio of Co and Cu in diet could enhance the nutrient utilization.

Life threatening vitamin B_(12) deficiency:will timely screening make a difference?

INTRODUCTION While Vit.B12 deficiency is common,with aprevalence of about 15% in the elderly,andrecommendations for treatment available,detectionof deficiency at the pre-clinical stage by appropriatescreening does not always take place.Our report isan example of life threatening Vit.B12 deficiencydiagnosed at age 56,with the onset of Vit.B12depletion likely to have begun in the

Vitamin B12 deficiency and gastric histopathology in older patients

AIM: To compare upper gastric endoscopic and histopathologic findings in older adults in the presence and absence of B12 deficiency.METHODS: A prospective analysis of upper gastric endoscopic and gastric histopathologic findings from 30 newly identified B12-deficient patients (11 males,19 females) and 16 controls with normal B12 status (6males, 10 females) was performed. For all subjects, the indication for upper endoscopy and gastric biopsy were unrelated to B12 status. A single pathologist, blinded to B12 status, processed and interpreted the biopsy samples. Endoscopic and histopathologic findings were correlated with age, gender, hematocrit (Hct), MCV and B12 status.RESULTS: The B12-deficient group had significantly lower mean serum B12 levels compared to the controls (P＜0.00005) while their mean Hct, MCV and serum albumin levels were similar. Iron deficiency (ferritinbased) was present in 21% of B12-deficient patients and intrinsic factor antibodies were present in29% (5/17) of B12-deficient patients. The endoscopic findings revealed significantly different rates of gastritis and atrophy between the B12-deficient and control groups (P= 0.017).B12-deficient patients had significantly less superficial gastritis (62% vs 94%) and significantly more atrophic gastritis (28% vs 0%) as compared to the controls (P= 0.039). Intestinal metaplasia was similar in both groups. Helicobacter pyloriinfection rates were similar in the B12-deficient patients and controls (40% vs31%).CONCLUSION: Significantly different endoscopic findings and types of gastritis could often be observed in the presence and absence of B12 deficiency. Atrophy,based on endoscopy, and atrophic gastritis, based on histopathology, suggest the presence of B12 deficiency.Gastric histopathology is not influenced by the age,gender, Hct or MCV of the patients.

Impact of increasing one-carbon metabolites on traumatic brain injury outcome using pre-clinical models

Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of death and disability worldwide,affecting over 69 million individuals yearly.One-carbon metabolism has been shown to have beneficial effects after brain damage,such as ischemic stroke.However,whether increasing one-carbon metabolite vitamins impacts traumatic brain injury outcomes in patients requires more investigation.The aim of this review is to evaluate how one-carbon metabolites impact outcomes after the onset of traumatic brain injury.PubMed,Web of Science,and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies that examined the impact of B-vitamin supplementation on traumatic brain injury outcomes.The search terms included combinations of the following words:traumatic brain injury,dietary supplementation,one-carbon metabolism,and B-vitamins.The focus of each literature search was basic science data.The year of publication in the literature searches was not limited.Our analysis of the literature has shown that dietary supplementation of B-vitamins has significantly improved the functional and behavioral recove ry of animals with traumatic brain injury compared to controls.Howeve r,this improvement is dosage-dependent and is contingent upon the onset of supplementation and whether there is a sustained or continuous delive ry of vitamin supplementation post-traumatic brain injury.The details of supplementation post-traumatic brain injury need to be further investigated.Overall,we conclude that B-vitamin supplementation improves behavioral outcomes and reduces cognitive impairment post-traumatic brain injury in animal model systems.Further investigation in a clinical setting should be stro ngly considered in co njunction with current medical treatments for traumatic brain injury-affected individuals.

BIERMER’s Disease: About 4 Cases Diagnosed at Regional University Hospital of Ouahigouya (Chur/Ohg) and Literature Review

Megaloblastic pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disorder, considered rare in African context. The objective of this study was to report four clinical cases collected at the CHUR/OHG, and to review the literature. The study population consisted of two men and two women. The clinical manifestations were mainly neurological and hematological. The neurological signs were mainly paresthesia. One patient presented memory problems. On the biological level, macrocytic anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency were reported in two cases prior to treatment while the other two without serological assay of vitamin B12 were put on trial treatment. Anti-intrinsic factor antibodies were positive in three patients. The Schilling test was not used. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed atrophic fundic gastritis in all four patients who received treatment through intramuscular injection of hydroxocobalamin (vitamin B12). The evolution was favorable after one month of treatment in all cases. The literature review is dominated by clinical case reports, the largest cohorts of which are from the Maghreb.

Clinical variations of serum levels of ferritin,folic acid and vitamin B_(12) in acute leukemia patients

Acute leukemia is one of the most common hematologic malignancies and its exact mechanism of development is unknown yet. In clinical, acute leukemia alw g12 acid are important components of blood cells ays In accompany with abnormal iron balance. Ferritin, folic acid and vitamin this study, we measured variations of serum levels of ferritin （SF）, folic and vitamin B^2 in the acute leukemia patients under different disease stages including first diagnosed stage complete remission （CR） stage and not remission （NR） or relapse stage. It demonstrated that serum SF levels in patients at the first diagnosed stage and NR or relapse stage were significantly higher than the CR stage in acute m leukemia （AML） patients and acute lymphoblastic leukemia （ALL） patients （P〈0.05）. The serum folic acid yelocy levels tic in patients at the first diagnosed stage and NR or relapse stage were significantly lower than the CR stage in AML patients and ALL patients （P〈0.001）. Whereas, serum vitamin B12 levels in AML patients were significantly higher at the first diagnosed stage and NR or relapse stage than the CR stage （P〈0.001）. And it was significantly higher in ALE patients at the NR or relapse stage than at the first diagnosed stage and CR stage （P〈0.05）. There are obvious variations of serum levels of SF, folic acid and vitamin and vitamin B12 and decreased levels B12 offo in acute leukemia patients under different stages. Increased serum levels of SF lic acid may correlate to the active degree of acute leukemia as well as tumor load

Effect of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer

AIM:To evaluate the effect of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia(BDA)on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFLT)using spectral domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT),and to determine any correlation arising thereof.METHODS:In this cross-sectional observational study,99 eyes of 50 BDA patients of age 18-65 y were compared with 100 eyes of 50 healthy control subjects.All subjects underwent comprehensive clinical,ophthalmic,and hematological evaluation,followed by peripapillary RNFLT assessment using SD-OCT.RESULTS:The mean total,inferior,nasal,and temporal RNFLT were significantly lower in BDA group as compared to control group(P<0.05).The mean total,inferior and nasal RNFLT correlated significantly(P<0.05)with serum Hb%,B12 and mean corpuscular volume(MCV)level(r=0.310,0.435,-0.386 for total;r=0.932,0.481,-0.513 for inferior;r=0.344,0.254,-0.233 for nasal;respectively),while temporal and superior RNFLT quadrant did not show any correlation with any of the hematological parameters(r=0.144,0.167,-0.096;r=0.111,0.070,-0.099;respectively).The mean total RNFLT showed progressive thinning at par with the progression of anemia,except in very severe BDA,where an inverse relationship was documented.CONCLUSION:The mean total,inferior,nasal,and temporal peripapillary RNFLT was significantly thinner in BDA patients.Peripapillary RNFLT thinning seemed to proceed at par with the progression of severity of anemia,except in very sever grade.Early assessment of peripapillary RNFLT may be crucial in BDA patients to prevent potential blinding sequelae.Peripapillary RNFLT thinning in BDA patients should be considered in the differential diagnosis of other non-glaucomatous optic neuropathies,as well.