An occult cause of infantile spasms: Vitamin B12 deficiency. A case report and review of literature
- Author:
Pinar Arican
;
Nihal Olgac Dundar
;
Dilek Cavusoglu
;
Gizem Gungor
;
Pinar Gencpinar
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Vitamin B12 deficiency
- MeSH:
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency;
Infants
- From:Neurology Asia
2016;21(3):275-278
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Vitamin B12 deficiency in exclusively breastfed infants is an important problem in developing countries.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Few cases of
vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported as the cause of infantile spasms. We report the case of a
6-month-old boy diagnosed with infantile spasms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency caused by
nutritional inadequacy in the mother. He was observed to have head nods and flexor limbs spasms
which appeared in clusters. Psychomotor development was normal. The serum vitamin B12 level was
low and results of electroencephalography (EEG) indicated modified hypsarrhythmia. His symptoms
resolved after synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and vitamin B12 treatment. The EEG
was completely normal after the first month and sixth month of treatment. In addition to ACTH and
vitamin B12 treatment, following antiepileptic drug treatment was not initiated. During 21 months’
follow up he is seizure-free and his neurological development is age-appropriate.
This case of a 6 month-old infant with infantile spasms due to vitamin B12 deficiency seems to be
a striking because of only with vitamin B12 and ACTH treatment the patient became seizure-free.
Vitamin B12 deficiency may be a treatable cause of infantile spasms and should be considered in the
associated cause of infantile spasms especially if nutritional inadequacy in the mother.
- Full text:P020161014345232309908.pdf
