Prevalence of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in West Syndrome: A Retrospective Chart Review

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the vitamin B12 status among children treated for West syndrome and to review the clinical response to vitamin B12 supplementation among those found deficient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospital records of children with West syndrome with a minimum follow-up of 6 months where serum vitamin B12 was estimated during the course of treatment were identified. Records were studied for etiology, and their response to clinical treatment was noted. RESULTS: The two main etiology were cryptogenic in 12 (46.2%), and perinatal asphyxia in 10 (38.5%) children. Serum vitamin B12 levels (levels < 203 pg/mL) were deficient in two (7.7%) children of the 26 eligible records. On vitamin B12 supplementation, both of these children did not achieve any reduction in the frequency of spasm. CONCLUSION: In this limited cross-sectional study, vitamin B12 was deficient in 7.7% of children with West syndrome with lack of reduction in frequency of spasm on B12 supplementation.