Funicular myelosis with B12 deficiency anemia in pediatric practice

Abstract

Funicular myelosis (subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord) is a clinical manifestation of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, which is rarely diagnosed in children and is associated with damage to the posterior and lateral funiculi of the spinal cord. A clinical case of funicular myelosis with B₁₂ deficiency anemia in a child aged 11 years, which was manifested by sensory ataxia, lower paraparesis, hypotonia, areflexia and atrophy of the muscles of the lower extremities in combination with pyramidal insufficiency, is presented. The cyanocobalamin deficiency in the child’s blood, combined with other hematological indicators, allowed us to diagnose B₁₂-deficiency anemia and determine the cause of the development of neurological manifestations. The development of anemia was associated with dyspeptic disorders against the background of an unhealthy diet with a low content of animal products and the formation of progressive protein-energy deficiency. Neurological manifestations were reversible and regressed during treatment with cyanocobalamin. The case demonstrates the possibility of funicular myelosis developing as the only clinical manifestation of nutritional B₁₂ deficiency anemia in a child.