Research Article: Sublingual methylcobalamin treatment in infants with prolonged jaundice due to vitamin B12 deficiency
Abstract:
Ineffective erythropoiesis resulting from vitamin B12 deficiency leads to hemolysis. The breakdown of erythrocytes increases plasma bilirubin levels, which can cause jaundice in newborns.
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Hematology, Antalya Training and Research Hospital. In total, 103 infants with prolonged neonatal jaundice due to vitamin B12 deficiency, defined as a serum level below 250?ng/L, were included. Participants were divided into two groups based on treatment type: sublingual methylcobalamin (Group 1, n =?72) and intramuscular cyanocobalamin (Group 2, n =?31).
The mean gestational ages were 38.36?±?1.4 weeks in Group 1 and 38.87?±?0.81 weeks in Group 2. The mean ages at diagnosis were 35.74?±?13.17 days and 35.9?±?11.73 days, respectively. The female-to-male ratios were 30:42 in Group 1 and 16:15 in Group 2. Mean serum vitamin B12 levels in Group 1 were 138.82?±?50.09?ng/L before treatment, 656.86?±?333.16?ng/L at 1.5 months, and 394.08?±?169.94?ng/L at 3 months following sublingual methylcobalamin therapy. In Group 2, the mean levels were 165.71?±?56.07?ng/L before treatment, 502.9?±?196.07?ng/L at 1.5 months, and 345.77?±?115.42?ng/L at 3 months after intramuscular cyanocobalamin administration.
Vitamin B12 deficiency may be associated with prolonged jaundice in neonates. Early diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency enables timely initiation of sublingual methylcobalamin, a non-invasive and effective treatment option.
Introduction:
Prolonged jaundice is defined as a serum bilirubin level exceeding 5?mg/dL that persists beyond the 14th postnatal day in term infants or the 21st postnatal day in preterm infants. Hyperbilirubinemia lasting more than 14 days occurs in 15–40% of breastfed infants ( 1 ). Prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia may result from hemolytic conditions such as Rh or ABO incompatibility, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, congenital hypothyroidism, urinary tract infection, or inherited disorders such as…
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