Recognition and management of vitamin b12 deficiency: a report of 3 cases with oral manifestations

Vitamin B12 is essential for the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Its deficiency is mainly caused by gastrointestinal malabsorption and can result in pernicious anemia. Some oral signs and symptoms, such as burning sensation, glossitis with papillary atrophy, and areas of painful erythema, can be associated. Here, we report 3 cases of oral manifestations associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. The first patient was a 36-year-old male, and the other 2 were females, 61 and 70 years old. In all of them the aforementioned oral manifestations were observed and hematologic tests were requested, which confirmed the deficiency of this vitamin. None of the patients had a history of gastrectomy due to gastric cancer or anemia. All patients were supplemented with oral vitamins, and the lesions disappeared when the levels of this vitamin were normal, about 2 months after treatment. Vitamin B12 is essential for the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Its deficiency is mainly caused by gastrointestinal malabsorption and can result in pernicious anemia. Some oral signs and symptoms, such as burning sensation, glossitis with papillary atrophy, and areas of painful erythema, can be associated. Here, we report 3 cases of oral manifestations associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. The first patient was a 36-year-old male, and the other 2 were females, 61 and 70 years old. In all of them the aforementioned oral manifestations were observed and hematologic tests were requested, which confirmed the deficiency of this vitamin. None of the patients had a history of gastrectomy due to gastric cancer or anemia. All patients were supplemented with oral vitamins, and the lesions disappeared when the levels of this vitamin were normal, about 2 months after treatment.