The Relationship Between Vitamin B-12 Levels and Attention in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Background and Aim: Vitamin B-12 plays a role in normal growth and development in childhood and adolescence. In this study, the effect of vitamin B-12 on attention was investigated. Method: A total of 138 participants who were admitted to the pediatric clinic during a three-month period between June 15, 2021, and September 15, 2021, between the ages of 9 and 16 years, who had their vitamin B-12 levels measured and met the inclusion criteria of the study were included in our study. D2 Attention Test data were obtained from the participants. Results: While 24.5% of the group with low vitamin B-12 levels had pathology according to the D2 Attention Test, 5.9% of the control group had pathology according to the D2 Attention Test. The percentage of pathology in those with low vitamin B-12 levels was statistically significantly higher than in the group with normal B-12 levels. Conclusion: It was observed that the attention level of the group with vitamin B-12 deficiency was lower. In the follow-up of healthy children, it is recommended to pay attention to the research on vitamin B-12 values.