Two infants with infantile spasms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.

BACKGROUND

In developing countries, nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency in infants because of maternal deficiency often causes hematological and neurological disorders. However, epilepsy is a rare manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency. The biological basis for the observed neurological symptoms of infantile vitamin B12 deficiency remains uncertain. There are only a few reports in the English literature regarding the relationship between infantile spasms and vitamin B12 deficiency.

PATIENTS: We report two unrelated infants having infantile spasms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency related to maternal nutritional deficiency.

RESULTS

During the first month of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), phenobarbital, and vitamin B12 treatments, both infants' abnormalities resolved. After 3 months, electroencephaography was completely normal. ACTH and phenobarbital treatments were ended. The children are disease-free 9 months after the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that vitamin B12 deficiency should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infantile spasms as a treatable cause, especially with a history of maternal nutritional deficiency.