Neurologic Complications due to Severe Micronutrient Deficiencies in an American Adolescent

Nutr Clin Pract. 2021 Oct;36(5):1059-1062. doi: 10.1002/ncp.10573. Epub 2020 Sep 18.

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies are a major global health problem but are less common in developed nations. If left unidentified and untreated, micronutrient deficiencies can lead to serious, sometimes irreversible, sequelae such as with vitamin A deficiency and vision loss. Providers should recognize these issues not only in chronically ill and hospitalized patients but in those with non-illness-related malnutrition due to parent/child-selected restricted diets. Herein, we present a case of unrecognized chronic, severe, malnutrition due to severe behavioral food selectivity with associated neurologic deficits due to hypovitaminosis (vitamins A and B2 ). With adequate enteral nutrition and vitamin repletion, our patient's neurologic deficits have partially recovered.

Keywords: enteral nutrition; malnutrition; micronutrients; nutrient deficiency; vitamin deficiency; vitamin supplementation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Humans
  • Malnutrition* / complications
  • Malnutrition* / diagnosis
  • Micronutrients
  • United States
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin A Deficiency* / complications
  • Vitamins

Substances

  • Micronutrients
  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin A