Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12, or Cobalamin, is important for the correct function of the nervous system. It can only be obtained from animal sources such as liver, kidneys, meat, fish, eggs, and milk. Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in the degeneration of the spinal cord, optic nerves, cerebral white matter, and peripheral nerves. This occurs because vitamin B12 is essential for formation of enzymes involved in the maintenance of myelin sheaths. The deficiency often results from the inability of the stomach to produce glycoprotein, which aids in absorbing the B12 vitamin.

Initially, there is a swelling of individual myelinated nerve fibers in small clumps. These legions then combine together to form large honeycomb-like zones of demyelination. The larger fibers are most affected. The destruction of myelin begins in cervicle and upper thoracic parts of the spinal cord and then spread. The cerebral white matter is the last to be affected. The peripheral nerves lose some myelin.

The most common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are numbness, tingling, and burning of the feet and hands. Other symptoms include a feeling of weakness and an unsteady gait. If untreated, the disorder could lead stiffness, paralysis of lower limbs, and bower and bladder dysfunction.

Doctors can diagnose this disorder because the vitamin B12 count in the blood's serum is low. Also, while the cerebrospinal fluid remains normal, the EEG is abnormal. Prompt treatment is crucial. Treatment consists of giving intramuscular injections of the vitamin.