Abstract

The literature data is scarce concerning the efficacy of various routes for administering vitamin B12 in child subjects with macrocytic-megaloblastic anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency. Aim: The present study aimed to comparatively assess the efficacy of Oral vitamin B 12 to parenteral vitamin B12 in treating child subjects with nutritional macrocytic anemia. Methods: The study assessed 160 child subjects in the age range of 3 months to 18 years with laboratory and clinical findings suggestive of megaloblastic macrocytic anemia. All subjects were given 1000µg vitamin B12 in a single parenteral dose. The subjects were then divided into 2 groups randomly where Group I was given oral vitamin B12 daily for 3 months in 1500µg dose (500µg in subjects aged < 2 years) and Group II was given intramuscular 1000µg B12 in 3 and 5 doses alternate days for <10 and >10 years respectively followed by 2 doses of 1000µg. Iron and folic acid were given to both groups. Hemoglobin and serum vitamin B12 were compared after 3 months. Results: A significant improvement was seen in levels of vitamin B12 in group II with p=0.01. Also, a significant improvement in Group II was seen for hemoglobin levels with p=0.001. Conclusion: The study concluded that a significant improvement in hemoglobin and serum vitamin B12 levels is seen in child subjects with macrocytic anemia with parenteral vitamin B12 compared to oral Vitamin B12.

Description

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