Improvement in Peripheral Nerve Conduction with Vitamin B12 Supplementation in Subclinical Vitamin B12 Deficient Young Adults

摘要

Subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency is highly prevalent among the otherwise healthy Indian adults. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin B12 status and peripheral nerve conduction parameters in healthy young adults. The study also aimed to understand the effect of vitamin B12 supplementation on nerve conduction parameters. 30 healthy adults between the age group of 18-30 years underwent nerve conduction assessment and serum vitamin B12 analysis. There was a significant and positive correlation between vitamin B12 levels and sensory nerve conduction velocity (r=0.44, p=0.02) and sensory nerve amplitude (r=0.39, p=0.04). Out of 30 subjects, 23 subjects had vitamin B12 levels < 200 pmol/L. 10 subjects with subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency were supplemented with cyanocobalamin 100 ug for 4 months. Sensory nerve conduction velocity significantly increased following supplementation (p<0.05). This study demonstrated early functional changes (nerve conduction) even in a subclinical state. The current study also provided evidence on the beneficial effects of vitamin B12 supplementation in the improvement of sensory nerve conduction among young healthy Indians.