PATIENT INFORMATION
Patients with pernicious anemia should be informed that
they will require monthly injections of vitamin B12 for
the remainder of their lives. Failure to do so will result
in return of the anemia and in development of incapacitating
and irreversible damage to the nerves of the spinal cord.
Also, patients should be warned about the danger of taking
folic acid in place of vitamin B12, because the former
may prevent anemia but allow progression of subacute combined
degeneration.
A vegetarian diet which contains no animal products (including
milk products or eggs) does not supply any vitamin B12.
Patients following such a diet, should be advised to take
oral vitamin B12 regularly. The need for vitamin B12 is
increased by pregnancy and lactation. Deficiency has been
recognized in infants of vegetarian mothers who were breast
fed, even though the mothers had no symptoms of deficiency
at the time.
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