Study of correlation between vitamin B12 deficiency and clinical, haematological and electrophysiological parameters.

Objectives: Vitamin B12 is a micronutrient essential for appropriate neuro-cognitive, hemopoetic and cardiovascular function. This study was planned to find correlation between vitamin B12 deficiency and its clinical, haematological and electrophysiological parameters. Material and Methods: This study was a cross sectional study which included 125 patients who had attended Maharana Bhupal Govt. Hospital, Udaipur from 1 st November 2013 to 31 st August 2014. The study included all cases of anaemia with or without neurological manifestation with suspected B12 deficiency, anaemia with history of chronic alcoholism, smoking, tobacco chewing, beetle nut chewers, chronic diarrhoea and Past history of gastric surgery. Results: Total 125 patients were included in study, among them 53 were male and 72 were females. Majority 69 (55.2%) patients were more than 60 years of age. Eighty six (68.8%) patients had severe Vitamin B12 deficiency, among them 42(63.6%) were females. Neurological complains like parenthesis, ataxia, decreased vision, psychiatric and cognitive impairment were observed in 68 (54.4%) patients among them parenthesis were present in three fifth (60.29%) patients. Reduced vision was present in only 3 (5.8%) patients. Nineteen percent patients had myeloneuropathy and Optic atrophy was noted in all 3 patients who were presented with reduced vision. Conclusion: Deficiency disorders of vitamins associate with plethora of clinical manifestations. Old age person, female gender and vegetarians are at considerable risk to develop B12 deficiency.