| Vitamin B12 deficiency in resettled bhutanese refugees --- United States, 2008--2011. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21430638 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Since 2008, approximately 30,000 Bhutanese refugees have been resettled in the United States. Routine medical examinations of refugees after arrival in resettlement states indicated hematologic and neurologic disorders caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. These cases were reported by examining physicians and state health departments to CDC, which initiated an investigation. This report summarizes the results of that investigation. Sera from overseas medical examinations, postarrival examinations in three state health departments (Minnesota, Utah, and Texas), and medical records and interviews at a health clinic in St. Paul, Minnesota, were evaluated. Vitamin B12 deficiency, defined as serum vitamin B12 concentration <203 pg/mL, was found in 64% (63 of 99) of overseas specimens, 27% (17 of 64) of postarrival medical screenings, and 32% (19 of 60) of Bhutanese refugees screened for vitamin B12 deficiency at the St. Paul clinic. Although the deficiencies might be multifactorial, the main cause is thought to be the diet consumed by these refugees for nearly two decades in Nepal, which lacked meat, eggs, and dairy products, the major dietary sources of vitamin B12. Additionally, infection with Helicobacter pylori might play a role. Clinicians should be aware of the risk for vitamin B12 deficiency in Bhutanese refugees. All Bhutanese refugees should be given nutrition advice and should receive supplemental vitamin B12 upon arrival in the United States. In addition, refugees with clinical manifestations suggestive of deficiency should be tested for adequate serum vitamin B12 concentrations and, if found to have a B12 deficiency, screened for underlying causes, treated with parenteral vitamin B12 or high-dose oral supplements, and evaluated for response to therapy. |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report Volume: 60 ISSN: 1545-861X ISO Abbreviation: MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. Publication Date: 2011 Mar |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-03-24 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7802429 Medline TA: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 343-6 Citation Subset: IM |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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