High frequency of low serum levels of vitamin B [12] among patients attending Jordan University Hospital

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Abstract
This study aimed to estimate the status of serum vitamin B[12] level in patients attending Jordan University Hospital in Amman, and to examine the relationship with demographic data, chronic illness, dietary habits, haematological parameters and symptoms related to vitamin B[12] levels. A total of 838 patients completed a questionnaire and gave blood samples; 44.6% were vitamin B[12] deficient [< 180 pg/mL] and 34.2% had hypovitaminosis [180-300 pg/mL]. Vitamin B[12] deficiency was associated with memory impairment, low meat intake and strict vegetarian [vegan] diets. The high frequency of low vitamin B[12] warrants the development of a strategy to correct this problem in JordanCitation
Barghouti, F.F., Younes, N.A., Halaseh, L.J., Said, T.T. & Ghraiz, S.M. (2009). High frequency of low serum levels of vitamin B [12] among patients attending Jordan University Hospital. EMHJ - Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 15 (4), 853-860, 2009 https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/117707