CLINICAL SYNDROME OF VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY AN ANALYSIS OF 10 CASES

INTRODUCTION Vitamin B12 deficiency is an important treatable cause of neurologic illness in our country which usually presents as Non-compressive Myelopathy, Peripheral Neuropathy, and higher function alteration. We herewith analyse 10 Cases of Vitamin B12 deficiency for their clinical features and laboratory parameters. METHODS 10 patients who were diagnosed to have Vitamin B12 deficiency at the Institute of Neurology between 2011 and 2014 were analysed for their clinical features and laboratory parameters. RESULTS Age of patients ranged from 14-49 years. Nine were males and one female. Identifiable risk factors were noted in five patients. Nine patients had spastic weakness of limbs with exaggerated reflexes and posterior column signs. Sensory symptoms and signs were noted in nine patients. One patient presented with higher function alteration only without any myelopathy or neuropathy. Bladder symptoms were noted in four and loss of libido and erectile dysfunction in two. Sensory ataxia was prominent in eight patients. Low serum B12 level was noted in all patients. Peripheral smear was normal in four patients, normocytic normochromic in three, and dimorphic in three. MRI spine showed hyperintensities in spinal cord in one patient. MRI brain in the patient with dementia showed T2 and Flair Hyperintensities in the periventricular region.