Two infants with infantile spasms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency

Abstract

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.

Keywords: infantile spasms; seizure; treatment; vitamin B12 deficiency.