Serum vitamin B-12 in children presenting with vasovagal syncope
Pektas A, et al
Published in Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Methodology
Prospective observational review of 160 children presenting with vasovagal syncope, with subgroup analysis by head-up tilt test result and by haemodynamic response type, measuring serum vitamin B12 alongside thyroid stimulating hormone, iron indices and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Key Findings
In a prospective review of 160 children with vasovagal syncope, 80 had a positive head-up tilt test and 80 negative. Tilt-positive children had significantly lower serum vitamin B12 (p = 0.01), lower total iron binding capacity (p = 0.04) and a much higher prevalence of B12 deficiency (80% versus 52.5%, p = 0.001). Within the tilt-positive group, children with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome had lower B12 than those with a vasodepressor response (240.8 versus 392.7 pg/mL, p = 0.001) and far more deficiency (92.3% versus 45.5%, p = 0.001).
Conclusions
Vitamin B-12 deficiency causes reduction in myelinization, deceleration in nerve conduction and elevation in serum concentrations of noradrenaline.
Limitations
An observational single-centre study with no supplementation arm, so it shows association only; the very high background rate of B12 deficiency even in tilt-negative children (52.5%) suggests local dietary patterns rather than a syncope-specific cause.
Supplements Studied
Vitamin B-12 deficiency causes reduction in myelinization, deceleration in nerve conduction and elevation in serum concentrations of noradrenaline.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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