Complications of dietary deficiency of Vitamin B12 in young Caucasians

Abstract

SummaryThe occurrence of dietary deficiency of Vitamin B12 is reported in two young caucasian adults. In one case megaloblastic anaemia occurred and in the other optic atrophy. The importance of the dietary history, the significance of folic acid intake and the inter-relationship of Vitamin B12 and cyanide detoxication are discussed.

Optic neuropathy as a presenting feature of vitamin B-12 deficiency: A systematic review of literature and a case report

“…The optic nerve may appear normal in the early stages of the disease until optic atrophy develops [ 5 ]. Optic atrophy has been reported a few times in the literature, but to the best of our knowledge, optic neuritis is reported only twice before, our case being the third such case [ Table 2 ] [ [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] ].…”

“…In most cases reported before, the visual symptoms either improved or resolved entirely, whereas a few cases did not improve or even deteriorated [ [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] ]. The factors associated with the reversibility of the optic nerve damage can be related to patient characteristics, cause of VitB12 deficiency, the severity of symptoms, duration of symptoms, levels of VitB12, and treatment modalities used, among other relatively less obvious determinants.…”