Association of serum folate and serum vitamin B12 deficiency in children with acute diarrhea

Abstract

Vitamin B-12 and folic acid play a vital role in rapid growth and development in early childhood and infancy period. Their deficiency can lead to poor growth, anemia and neurological deficit in he developing brain. Literature shows the bidirectional relationship between infection and deficiency of these micronutrients. The aim of the study is to determine the association of serum Folate deficiency and Vitamin B-12 deficiency in children with acute diarrhea. Material & Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the Tertiary care Hospital of Lahore. The duration of the study was 6 months after the approval from Ethical review committee. 55 children with acute diarrhea (Age: 6-48 months) presented at the Emergency were recruited by convenient sampling. Detailed history of diarrhea was taken from the parents and was recorded on a Performa. Results: Our results show that significant proportion of children with acute diarrhea had Vitamin B-12 deficiency (27.3%), compared to serum Folate deficiency (5.5%) and a significant association (p-value=0.04) was seen with the age group i.e., 60% of the children from 6-12 months of age had deficient Vitamin-B12 levels. Macrocytosis was significantly associated with Vitamin-B12 deficiency (p-value=0.03), where as polychromasia was significantly associated with Serum Folate deficiency (p-value=0.02). Conclusion: Significant proportion of children with acute diarrhea showed Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid deficiency. Significant association of Vitamin B12 deficiency was also seen with age group i.e., children from 6-12 months of age.

Key Words: Diarrhea, Malnutrition, Folic Acid, Cobalamin.