Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential coenzyme for nucleic acid synthesis. Animal protein is the major dietary source of vitamin B12. Deficiency of vitamin B12 leads to megaloblastic anemia, degeneration of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and abnormalities of epithelial tissues. Two factors are necessary for the cure of megaloblastic anemia: one in food (extrinsic factor) and one i...

introduction: megaloblasc anemia is an uncommon problem in childhood most frequently associated with vitamin deficiency or gastrointesnal disease. the common causes of megaloblasc anemia are vitamin b12 (cobalamin) deficiency and folic acid deficiency. familial selecve malabsorpon of vitamin b12 associated with proteinuria firstly was described by imerslund (1960) and grasbeck et al (1960)...

Aim: Deficiency of cobalamin and folate during pregnancy is associated with megaloblastic anemia. Lower levels of folate and vitamin B12 were reported in mothers whose offspring had neural tube defects compared to unaffected controls. Increased methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels are a sensitive indicator of mild vitamin B12 deficiency and elevated homocysteine levels denote vitamin B12 or folate d...

Introduction: Megaloblasc anemia is an uncommon problem in childhood most frequently associated with vitamin deficiency or gastrointesnal disease. The common causes of megaloblasc anemia are vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency and folic acid deficiency. Familial selecve malabsorpon of vitamin B12 associated with proteinuria firstly was described by Imerslund (1960) and Grasbeck et al (1960)...

BACKGROUND Many previous investigations of cobalamin and folate status were performed in white populations. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to determine whether there are racial differences in the prevalence of cobalamin and folate deficiency. DESIGN The study was a cross-sectional comparison of baseline serum cobalamin, folate, methylmalonic acid (MMA), total homocysteine (tHcy), and creatinin...

BACKGROUND Hyperthyroidism, the most common endocrine disorder in cats, has been associated with low serum cobalamin concentrations. Whether this is a functional cobalamin deficiency of clinical importance has not been assessed. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES Cats with hyperthyroidism experience a functional cobalamin deficiency which correlates with their clinical catabolic state and is reversible wi...

Three topics affecting cobalamin, folate, and homocysteine that have generated interest, activity, and advances in recent years are discussed. These are: (I). the application of an expanded variety of tools to the diagnosis of cobalamin deficiency, and how these affect and are affected by our current understanding of deficiency; (II). the nature of the interaction between homocysteine and vascu...

During 2001, neurologic impairment resulting from cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency was diagnosed in two children in Georgia. The children were breastfed by mothers who followed vegetarian diets. This report summarizes the two cases and provides guidance for health-care providers on identifying and preventing cobalamin deficiency among breastfed infants of vegetarian mothers.

BACKGROUND There are conflicting results on the role of cobalamin and folate for epidemiology and carcinogenesis in colorectal cancer patients and the need of supplementation for prevention of chemotherapy toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS Serum cobalamin, folate, and homocysteine were analysed before and during the treatment of 93 patients with advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC) with first-line ...