A guide for families about vitamin B12 and children's health
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient found mainly in animal foods such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy. Some plant milks and breakfast cereals also have B12 added to them.
Children need B12 to make healthy blood cells and for their brain and nervous system to work properly. Low B12 can affect a child's growth, energy and development, so it is important to find and treat it early.
Low B12 is common in families who have had limited access to meat, fish, eggs or dairy, for example due to difficulties getting enough food before or during their journey to Australia, or a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Low B12 is more common in some communities than others, and your child's doctor or nurse can talk with you about whether testing is recommended for your family.
Many children with low B12 have no symptoms at all, which is why testing is often the only way to find it. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
Low B12 can be treated effectively, and most children recover well. Left untreated, it can affect a child's blood and nervous system, so it's important to test and treat it early, especially in babies under 2 years old.
Low B12 can be checked with a simple blood test. Your child's doctor may also check other blood results at the same time to get a full picture of your child's health and nutrition. A normal-looking blood count does not rule out low B12, so specific B12 testing is important if there is any concern. If one child in the family has low B12, your doctor will often recommend screening for the other children. Breastfeeding mothers also need screening if their babies have low B12.
Treatment usually involves B12 supplements, given either as an injection or as tablets/melts taken by mouth, depending on your child's age and how low their levels are. The doctor will explain the treatment plan and how long it's likely to be needed. Babies with low B12 often need injections to make sure they are treated quickly, as they have a higher chance of problems from low B12.
Alongside treatment, it also helps to increase B12-rich foods in your child's diet where possible, such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or fortified plant milks and cereals.
Most children start to feel better quickly once treatment begins. Your child's doctor will arrange follow-up blood tests over the following weeks and months to check that B12 levels have returned to normal and stayed normal.
If your child had neurological symptoms (such as developmental delay or unusual movements) before treatment, the doctor will also arrange longer-term follow-up to support your child's development.