Prevalence of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Non-Syndromic Global Developmental Delay Babies Aged Between 6 Months to 24 Months

Abstract

Global developmental delay (GDD) is a condition where babies or toddlers fail to meet developmental milestones at the expected age. While the causes can be varied, non-syndromic GDD refers to developmental delay in babies that do not have any other underlying syndrome. Recent research has raised concerns about the role of nutritional deficiencies, particularly Vitamin B12 deficiency, in contributing to developmental delay. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency in babies diagnosed with non-syndromic global developmental delay aged between 6 to 24 months. A total of 150 babies were included in the study, and their Vitamin B12 levels were tested. Results showed that 40% of the babies had low Vitamin B12 levels. There was a significant association between lower Vitamin B12 levels and more severe developmental delays. The findings suggest that Vitamin B12 deficiency could be an important factor to consider when assessing developmental delay in infants. Early diagnosis and intervention may help improve developmental outcomes in these babies.

Keywords: Vitamin B12 deficiency, global developmental delay, non-syndromic GDD, babies, prevalence, nutritional deficiency, brain development