Biochemical, Nutritional, and Clinical Parameters of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Infants: A Systematic Review and Analysis of 292 Cases Published between 1962 and 2022.

Pooled data from published reports on infants with clinically diagnosed vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency were analyzed with the purpose of describing the presentation, diagnostic approaches, and risk factors for the condition to inform prevention strategies. An electronic (PubMed database) and manual literature search following the PRISMA approach was conducted (preregistration with the Open Science Framework, accessed on 15 February 2023). Data were described and analyzed using correlation analyses, Chi-square tests, ANOVAs, and regression analyses, and 102 publications (292 cases) were analyzed.

Early neurological and motor function in infants born moderate to late preterm or small for gestational age at term: a prospective cohort study.

Background: There are inconsistent findings regarding neurological and motor development in infants born moderate to late preterm and infants born small for gestational age at term. The primary aim of this study was to compare neurological and motor function between preterm, term SGA and term AGA infants aged three to seven months corrected age using several common assessment tools. The secondary aim was to investigate their motor function at two years.

A Retrospective Evaluation of the Predictive Value of Newborn Screening for Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Symptomatic Infants Below 1 Year of Age.

Background: The sensitivity of newborn screening (NBS) in detecting infants that later develop symptomatic vitamin B12 deficiency is unknown. We evaluated the predictive value using NBS algorithms in detecting infants that later were clinically diagnosed with symptomatic B12 deficiency. Furthermore, we investigated whether being born in a hospital using nitrous oxide (NO) as pain relief in labor may have had an impact on total homocysteine at NBS.

Nitrous oxide in labour predicted newborn screening total homocysteine and is a potential risk factor for infant vitamin B12 deficiency.

Aim: Risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency in infants are not fully understood. The aim of the study was to assess predictors of total homocysteine and methylmalonic acid analysed in newborn screening dried blood spots.

Methods: In a Norwegian case control study, we analysed total homocysteine and methylmalonic acid in newborn screening dried blood spots of 86 infants clinically diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency during 2012-2018.

Lower iron stores were associated with suboptimal gross motor scores in infants at 3-7 months.

Aim: To investigate associations between iron status and gross motor scores in infants aged 3-7 months.

Methods: In a prospective study, 252 infants aged 3-7 months were examined using the age-standardised Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) prior to analysing iron status in 250 infants. Combined AIMS and ferritin results were assessed in 226 infants, whereas AIMS and reticulocyte haemoglobin (ret-Hb) results were obtained for 61 infants.

Breastfed Infants With Spells, Tremor, or Irritability: Rule Out Vitamin B12 Deficiency.

Background: In Norway, 5-10% of neonates and infants have biomarkers suggesting vitamin B12 deficiency from newborn screening tests and unselected clinical screening, respectively.

Aims: The aims were to identify risk factors and describe presenting symptoms and biochemical profiles in infants diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Methods: In this case-control study, we searched hospital medical records for infants younger than one year born in 2011-2018, diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Reference Material for Hammersmith Infant Neurologic Examination Scores Based on Healthy, Term Infants Age 3-7 Months.

Objective: To provide a valid, continuous reference interval, including a 10th percentile cut-off, for Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) scores based on 3- to 7-month-old term infants with weight appropriate for gestational age.

Study Design: In a prospective study, we examined 168 Norwegian infants at one timepoint with HINE at 3-7 months of age. In 134 of these infants Ages and Stages Questionnaire was completed by their parents at 2 years of age to ensure typical motor development.

The prevalence and clinical relevance of hyperhomocysteinemia suggesting vitamin B12 deficiency in presumed healthy infants.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of biochemical vitamin B12 deficiency in infants in Norway. Increased total homocysteine (tHcy) is the most important marker of B12 deficiency in infants. There is a need to evaluate its clinical relevance.