Oral Cyanocobalamin Treatment in Infants Under 1 Year With Nutritional Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A Retrospective Comparison of 500 and 1000 µg Dose Regimens.

BACKGROUND

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a significant health problem in infancy, particularly in developing countries. Oral treatment has emerged as an alternative to intramuscular therapy, but optimal dosing in infants remains unclear.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 93 infants aged 1 to 12 months diagnosed with nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency. Patients received either 500 or 1000 µg oral cyanocobalamin. Laboratory parameters were evaluated at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months.

RESULTS

Both treatment groups demonstrated significant increases in serum vitamin B12 levels and decreases in homocysteine levels ( P <0.001). No significant difference was observed between the 500 and 1000 µg groups regarding hematological or biochemical response. Treatment was well tolerated with no reported adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral cyanocobalamin was associated with biochemical improvement and was well tolerated in infants under 1 year of age. Although no significant difference was observed between the 500 and 1000 µg regimens in this retrospective cohort, prospective noninferiority studies are needed to determine whether the lower dose is comparable with the higher dose.