The Effects of vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency on hemogram parameters in children

Abstract

Objective: According to numerous studies, bicytopenia, pancytopenia, or isolated thrombocytopenia and anemia patients have folic acid (folate) and vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of folate and B12 deficiency in childhood on several haemogram parameters such as platelet (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and white blood cell (WBC) count.
 Materials and Methods: The retrospective study included children who had applied to the pediatric outpatient clinic between 2015 and 2017. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to serum B12 and folate status. The results were evaluated by statistical methods.
 Results: PLT and WBC levels of the folate and B12 deficiency group were found to be lower than the control group (p=0.015, p<0.001 respectively), and their MPV and HCT levels were higher (p: 0.015, p<0.001 respectively). MCV levels, however, were not different (p>0.05). No effect of PLT and MCV on folate levels was seen. Similarly, any effects of MPV, PLT and MCV independent variables on B12 levels were not observed. Although platelet and leukocyte count was decreased in folate and B12 deficiency, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia were observed only three patients.
 Conclusion: Although peripheral blood cell lines are not always seen low during folate and B12 deficiency, and there is not obvious anemia and MCV highness at a patient with neurological and psychological symptoms, folate and B12 deficiency should be thought if there are leukocyte and thrombocyte levels lower than mean reference values.