Vitamin B-12 is a water soluble vitamin that is necessary for red blood cell formation, neurological function and synthesizing DNA. Vitamin B-12 injections are sometimes used for weight loss in adults, but would not be appropriate for children. Children's multivitamins contain vitamin B-12 and are usually safe to give your child, although it's always a good idea to ask your health care provider before giving your child any kind of vitamin or supplement. Some medical conditions require prescribed vitamin B-12 supplementation for children.
Newborn Screenings
The March of Dimes encourages newborn screenings for 30 disorders that can be treated if caught early. If treatment is not provided immediately, these disorders can lead to severe health problems, mental retardation and sometimes, death. The treatment for some of these disorders include vitamin supplementation, and two of them require vitamin B-12 injections. Both disorders requiring B-12 injections are a type of methylmalonic acidemia. Screenings for these disorders usually occur in the hospital or at your baby's first doctor's visit within a week or so of birth .
Methylmalonic Acidemia
According to the Genetics Home Reference, methylmalonic acidemia is a genetic disorder in which the body is unable to break down fats and proteins properly. If not treated, it can lead to death. This disorder is very rare and only occurs in one out of every 50,000 to 100,000 people. In infants, symptoms include vomiting, dehydration, poor muscle tone, excessive tiredness, failure to gain weight and grow as they should. If your child is diagnosed with methylmalonic acidemia, she should follow a strict low protein diet. Vitamin B-12 injections and nutrition supplementation are also part of the treatment.
Pernicious Anemia
Pernicious anemia is another condition that requires vitamin B-12 supplementation. Although rare, some infants and children are born without the ability to make intrinsic factor, which allows the body to absorb vitamin B-12 in the small intestine. This leads to vitamin B-12 deficiency, causing fewer red blood cells in the body. Vitamin B-12 is necessary for your body to make red blood cells. Pernicious anemia in children is inherited. If your child is diagnosed with pernicious anemia, she will most likely need monthly vitamin B-12 injections to prevent a deficiency.
Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
If your child follows a strict vegetarian diet or you eat a vegan diet and breastfeed your baby, she is at risk for vitamin B-12 deficiency. Vitamin B-12 is found mostly in animal products such as beef, poultry, eggs, milk and milk products. Fortified breakfast cereals contain vitamin B-12 and can be a good source if you follow a strict vegetarian diet. If your child becomes deficient in vitamin B-12 and goes untreated, she may develop severe and permanent neurological damage. Talk to your health-care provider about vitamin B-12 supplements if you are concerned about your child's intake.
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