Deficiency of Vitamin B12 After Extensive Resection of the Distal Small Intestine in an Infant

Vitamin B12 absorption after resection of ileum in childhood

“…Even in adults where absorption may be virtually nil after ileal resection, as long as 6 years have elapsed before the serum vitamin B12 level has fallen (Booth, 1963). In two reports of low serum vitamin B12 levels due to resection of the ileum in childhood (Clark and Booth, 1960;Dallman and Diamond, 1960) subnormal levels were reached within 4 years of the resection. Booth (1961) warned that in children low serum vitamin B12 levels might occur at a shorter interval after resection than in adults, and Kiiffer et al (1965), who reviewed all the previous reports of major resections in childhood, were surprised that their patient had not developed megaloblastic anaemia by 17 months after resection of the ileum.…”

“…There have been only four reports of malabsorption of vitamin B12 after resection of ileum in childhood (Clark and Booth, 1960;Dallman and Diamond, 1960;Helge, 1962;Valman, 1972). A large part of the jejunum as well as the whole ileum was resected in the first 2 cases and a low serum vitamin B12 level was discovered within 4 years of the resections.…”

Familial Vitamin B₁₂ Malabsorption

“…C la rk and Booth (1) and D allm an and D iamond (4) de monstrated lack of vitamin B12 absorption and vitamin B12 defi ciency in 2 children aged 13 months and 3 years respectively after extensive resection of the distal small intestine in the newborn period. Apparently the clinical symptoms suggesting vitamin B12 deficiency in these patients had started at about 10 and 18 months of age.…”

LATE VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY FOLLOWING RESECTION OF THE ILEUM IN THE NEONATAL PERIOD

“…Vitamin BIZ, in physiological doses, is absorbed exclusively from the distal half of the small intestine in adults (9,4,17). Previous reports (7,11) have described deficiency of vitamin BIZ in infants who have had a large part of the jejunum as well as the whole of the ileum removed in the neonatal period. In these infants a low serum vitamin B12 level was discovered within 4 years of the resection.…”