Faculty Articles

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Deficiency in the Older Adult

ORCID

Christine Orton 0000-0003-2181-9018

Publisher

Elsevier Inc.

ISSN

1555-4155

Publication Date

July 2012

Keywords

autoimmune, cobalamin, megaloblastic anemia, neuropsychiatric, older population, pernicious anemia

Abstract

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) deficiency in the older adult occurs frequently and has the potential for serious neurological and hematological complications. Due to a myriad of discreet clinical manifestations this disorder is oftentimes unrecognized by providers. The purposes of this article are to increase awareness of Cobalamin deficiency, its causes, clinical manifestations, diagnostic work up, and management. As primary providers Nurse Practitioners should have a high degree of suspicion for at-risk populations. With early identification and treatment, Cobalamin anemia has an excellent prognosis with a normal lifespan.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2011.10.009

Volume

8

Issue

7

First Page

547

Last Page

553

Disciplines

Nursing

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Peer Reviewed

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