Is There A Need to Supplement Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemics with Vitamin B12?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the levels of serum vitamin B12 of transfusion-dependent thalassemic (TDT) children with that of healthy controls. The other objectives were to compare the occurrence of vitamin B12 deficiency in cases and controls and to find out any correlation between serum vitamin B12 of cases with their clinical, hematological, and laboratory parameters. This study was proposed as routine supplementation with folic acid is advised in TDT, but there are no guidelines for screening and supplementation of vitamin B12 for these patients. Methods: Thirty TDT children under 18 years and an equal number of age- and sex-matched controls were evaluated. Results: The mean levels of vitamin B12 in TDT group (260.17 ± 86.26 pg/mL) were lower than that of controls (337 ± 213 pg/mL) (P = 0.57). Correlation analysis of serum vitamin B12 levels with several parameters did not reveal any significant result. Conclusions: Similar large-scale multicentric studies are warranted before formulating guidelines for vitamin B12 screening and supplementation in thalassemics. Till then it may be prudent that TDT must be regularly screened for deficiency if the resources permit or else they must be routinely supplemented.