BIOCHEMISTRY

SEMINAR

Vitamin
B12
TEAM-8
 CONTENTS
01 - Introduction
02-Recommended dietary allowances
03 - sources
04-Deficiency manifestations
05-Treatment prevention
01 -INTRODUCTION

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin

that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions. It is essential
for the formation of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, neurological
function, and the maintenance of the nervous system. Vitamin B12
is not produced by the human body, so it must be obtained through
diet or supplementsG
01 - Recommended dietary
allowances(RDA)
The average recommended amounts, measured
in micrograms (mcg) per day, vary by age
Infants up to age 6 months: 0.4 mcg
Babies age 7-12 months: 0.5 mcg
Children age 1-3 years: 0.9 mcg
Children age 4-8 years: 1.2 mcg
Children age 9-13 years: 1.8 mcg
Teens age 14-18: 2.4 mcg
Pregnant: 2.6 mcg
Breastfeeding: 2.8 mcg
Adults: 2.4 mcg
02 - Sources
02 - Sources
 03 - Deficiency Manifestations
MEGALOBLASTIC ANAEMIA

• It is characterized by large and immature RBC’s

25%
• It causes serious neurological damage
• Treatment with folic acid corrects it
SUBACUTE COMBINED DEGENERATION

• Demyelination and neuronal death

• Patients suffer from weakness, numbness, paralysis, loss of memory and
even psychosis
03 - Deficiency Manifestations

PERNICIOUS ANEMIA

• It is an autoimmune disease
• It is caused by the absence of intrinsic factor required for
vitamin B12 absorption.

ELEVATED LEVELS OF HOMOCYSTEINE

• It is directly associated with an increased incidence of coronary artery diseases

21%
03 - Deficiency Manifestations

25%
03 - Deficiency Manifestations

52%

NEURAL TUBE DEFECT

21%
04 - Treatments & Preventions

• Most people can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency by eating food rich
in Vitamin B12(meat, egg, etc)
• It can be treated with intravascular injections of cyanocobalamine.
(1000mcg dose)
• It can be treated with oral Vitamin B12 therapy. The dose is 1000 mcg
per day and must be continued indefinitely
• However sublingual therapy has been proposed to prevent the
bleeding tendency
Thank You