Rare Vitamin B12 Deficiency Manifestation in Pediatric Patient with Autism

A recent case report highlighted a rare and severe manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency in a 12-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder. The patient presented with fever, night sweats, and weight loss, and laboratory tests revealed severe neutropenia and hemolytic anemia. Dietary history revealed significant food restriction over the preceding 6 months, and the patient received intramuscular vitamin B12 daily for 7 days, followed by oral therapy. His hemoglobin, hemolytic markers, and neutrophil count normalized within 13 days of vitamin B12 initiation.

Key Takeaways:

• A 12-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder presented with fever, night sweats, and weight loss, and was found to have severe neutropenia and hemolytic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Laboratory testing identified undetectably low vitamin B12 levels, and the patient received 1000 g of intramuscular vitamin B12 daily for 7 days, followed by oral therapy.
• His hemoglobin, hemolytic markers, and neutrophil count normalized within 13 days of vitamin B12 initiation.
• The case report emphasizes the importance of screening for micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable pediatric populations to avoid unnecessary and invasive testing.
• The researchers highlight the need for vigilance in diagnosing and treating vitamin B12 deficiency in pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder.
• The patient's diet was severely restricted, and the authors suggest that this may have contributed to the development of vitamin B12 deficiency.
• The study was published in the SAGE Open Medical Case Reports journal and is available online for free.

Statistics:

• The patient was 12 years old when he presented with symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.
• He received 1000 g of intramuscular vitamin B12 daily for 7 days, followed by oral therapy.
• His hemoglobin, hemolytic markers, and neutrophil count normalized within 13 days of vitamin B12 initiation.
• The patient had a significant food restriction over the preceding 6 months.
• The study highlights the importance of screening for micronutrient deficiencies in pediatric populations.

Sources:

• Pseudothrombotic microangiopathy resulting from severe vitamin B12 deficiency in a pediatric patient with autism: A case report. SAGE Open Medical Case Reports, 2025, 13.
• SAGE Open Medical Case Reports - http://sco.sagepub.com/
• The publisher for SAGE Open Medical Case Reports is SAGE Publishing.