An Infant Refugee with Anemia and Low Serum Vitamin B12

Mellin‐Sanchez, Lizbeth E.; Sondheimer, Neal

doi:10.1373/clinchem.2017.283283

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Anemia is common in refugee children around the world [21,22,23,24]. This finding is most likely due to poor nutrition and iron deficiency, but other factors, such as vitamin deficiency [25], unrecognized metabolic conditions [26], infections, or hematologic disorders [27], may also play a role. Finally, the lower hemoglobin values may also reflect acute blood loss from trauma or chronic inflammation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Special Aspects in Pediatric Surgical Inpatient Care of Refugee Children: A Comparative Cohort Study

Friedl

Muensterer

2019

Children

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Recently, the number of refugees in Germany has skyrocketed, leading to a marked increase in refugee children admitted to hospitals. This study describes the special characteristics encountered in pediatric surgical inpatient refugees compared to locally residing patients. Methods: Hospital records of minor refugees admitted to our department from 2005 up to and including 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, diagnoses, comorbidities, body mass indexes, hemoglobin values, and lengths of stay were extracted and statistically compared to local patients. Results: A total of 63 refugee children were analyzed and compared to 24,983 locally residing children. There was no difference in median body mass index (16.2 vs. 16.3, respectively, p = 0.26). However, refugee children had significantly lower hemoglobin values (11.95 vs. 12.79 g/dL, p < 0.0001) and were more likely to be colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus. aureus (8% vs. 0.04%, p < 0.01). Refugees were much more likely to present with burn injuries (16% versus 3% of admissions, p < 0.001), esophageal foreign bodies (4% vs. 0.5%, p < 0.001), as well as trauma, except for closed head injury. Conclusion: The cohort of refugee children in this study was found to be at a particular risk for suffering from burn injuries, trauma, foreign body aspirations, and anemia. Appropriate preventive measures and screening programs should be implemented accordingly.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Special Aspects in Pediatric Surgical Inpatient Care of Refugee Children: A Comparative Cohort Study

Friedl

Muensterer

2019

Children

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Anemia is another common diagnosis among refugee communities in the U.S. ( 38 , 39 ). This condition is usually the outcome of inadequate nutrition and iron deficiency, but other causes may include vitamin B12 deficiencies ( 40 ), undiagnosed metabolic disorders ( 6 ), chronic gastrointestinal infections (hookworms), and hematologic disorders [βeta-thalassemia ( 41 )].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caring for resettled refugee children in the United States: guidelines, challenges and public health perspectives

Phung

2023

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The global refugee crisis has become an urgent, pressing humanitarian issue, with an estimated 37 million children forcibly displaced from their homes due to conflict, persecution, violence and other human rights violations by mid-2022. Of these children, only a small percentage are eligible for resettlement in a new country. This narrative review examines the physical health needs of resettled refugee children (RRC) in the United States. By analyzing nutrition and growth, infectious diseases, and general health care/screening measures, a set of comprehensive, evidence-based guidelines and public health perspectives are formulated to facilitate ongoing discussion to ensure that RRC receive equitable health care access. An urgent call to action emphasizes cross-border collaboration between governments, public health experts, refugee populations, and disease preparedness authorities in order to prioritize the physical health of RRC. This review will provide primary care providers, public health professionals, social service workers, and community advocates with up-to-date recommendations to meet the health needs of RRC in the U.S.

show abstract

Biochemical, Nutritional, and Clinical Parameters of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Infants: A Systematic Review and Analysis of 292 Cases Published between 1962 and 2022

Wirthensohn,

Wehrli,

Ljungblad

et al. 2023

Nutrients

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Pooled data from published reports on infants with clinically diagnosed vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency were analyzed with the purpose of describing the presentation, diagnostic approaches, and risk factors for the condition to inform prevention strategies. An electronic (PubMed database) and manual literature search following the PRISMA approach was conducted (preregistration with the Open Science Framework, accessed on 15 February 2023). Data were described and analyzed using correlation analyses, Chi-square tests, ANOVAs, and regression analyses, and 102 publications (292 cases) were analyzed. The mean age at first symptoms (anemia, various neurological symptoms) was four months; the mean time to diagnosis was 2.6 months. Maternal B12 at diagnosis, exclusive breastfeeding, and a maternal diet low in B12 predicted infant B12, methylmalonic acid, and total homocysteine. Infant B12 deficiency is still not easily diagnosed. Methylmalonic acid and total homocysteine are useful diagnostic parameters in addition to B12 levels. Since maternal B12 status predicts infant B12 status, it would probably be advantageous to target women in early pregnancy or even preconceptionally to prevent infant B12 deficiency, rather than to rely on newborn screening that often does not reliably identify high-risk children.

show abstract

An Infant Refugee with Anemia and Low Serum Vitamin B12

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Special Aspects in Pediatric Surgical Inpatient Care of Refugee Children: A Comparative Cohort Study

Special Aspects in Pediatric Surgical Inpatient Care of Refugee Children: A Comparative Cohort Study

Caring for resettled refugee children in the United States: guidelines, challenges and public health perspectives

Biochemical, Nutritional, and Clinical Parameters of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Infants: A Systematic Review and Analysis of 292 Cases Published between 1962 and 2022

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About