Vitamin B12 deficiency as a worldwide problem

Pernicious anemia is a common cause of megaloblastic anemia throughout the world and especially in persons of European or African descent. Dietary deficiency of vitamin B12 due to vegetarianism is increasing and causes hyperhomocysteinemia. The breast-fed infant of a vitamin B12-deficient mother is...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of nutrition 2004, Vol.24 (1), p.299-326
Main Authors: Stabler, S.P, Allen, R.H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
anemia (disease)
Anemia, Megaloblastic - epidemiology
Anemia, Megaloblastic - etiology
Anemia, Pernicious - epidemiology
Anemia, Pernicious - etiology
Bioavailability
Biological and medical sciences
Biological Availability
breast feeding
Diet, Vegetarian - adverse effects
Feeding. Feeding behavior
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
geographical distribution
Global Health
human diseases
Humans
Hyperhomocysteinemia - epidemiology
Hyperhomocysteinemia - etiology
infants
Intestinal Absorption
literature reviews
malabsorption
nutrient intake
nutritional status
vegetarian diet
Vegetarianism
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
Vitamin B 12 - administration & dosage
Vitamin B 12 - pharmacokinetics
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency - complications
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency - epidemiology
vitamin B12
vitamin deficiencies
vitamin supplements
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Summary:Pernicious anemia is a common cause of megaloblastic anemia throughout the world and especially in persons of European or African descent. Dietary deficiency of vitamin B12 due to vegetarianism is increasing and causes hyperhomocysteinemia. The breast-fed infant of a vitamin B12-deficient mother is at risk for severe developmental abnormalities, growth failure, and anemia. Elevated methylmalonic acid and/or total homocysteine are sensitive indicators of vitamin B12-deficient diets and correlate with clinical abnormalities. Dietary vitamin B12 deficiency is a severe problem in the Indian subcontinent, Mexico, Central and South America, and selected areas in Africa. Dietary vitamin B12 deficiency is not prevalent in Asia, except in vegetarians. Areas for research include intermittent vitamin B12 supplement dosing and better measurements of the bioavailability of B12 in fermented vegetarian foods and algae.
ISSN:0199-9885
1545-4312
DOI:10.1146/annurev.nutr.24.012003.132440