Evaluation of vitamin b12 and folic acid profiles in children with vasovagal syncope
Keywords:
children, vasovagal syncope, vitamin B12, folic acidAbstract
Sympathetic nervous system dysfunction is one of the main causes of vasovagal syncope development. The results of previous studies confirm the relationship between vitamin B12 levels and autonomic dysfunction, as well as the positive effect of vitamin B12 supplements on improving hemodynamic and autonomic functions in this group of patients.The aim was to study serum levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid in children with vasovagal syncope.
Materials and methods. The main group consisted of 30 children aged 8–17 years with a diagnosis of vasovagal syncope. 23 healthy children of the same age were included in the control group. The determination of serum vitamin B12 and folic acid was performed by a colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the Monobind test system (USA). Vitamin B12 deficiency was diagnosed if its serum concentration was <300 pg/ml, folic acid deficiency was diagnosed if serum concentration was <3 ng/ml.
Results. The level of vitamin B12 in patients with vasovagal syncope was 308.73±18.31 pg/ml, and was significantly lower compared to the control group (447.28±22.70 pg/ml; p=0.000007). Folic acid in the serum of children did not differ significantly (3.87±0.25 ng/ml; 4.71±0.37 ng/ml; p=0.12). No reliable correlation was found between serum levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid in children with vasovagal syncope and the main clinical laboratory parameters of the disease (p>0.05). The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in the vasovagal syncope group was 55.2% (p=0.0000), whereas folic acid deficiency was recorded in 30.4% of patients (p=0.06).
Conclusions. Compared with healthy children, patients with vasovagal syncope show a significant decrease in serum B12, while the folic acid profile remains unchanged. The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in children with vasovagal syncope is 55.2%.
The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of an institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies.
No conflict of interest was declared by the author.
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