Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin B (referring collectively to the B-complex vitamins) plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism, energy production, and growth. Scientific evidence supports the use of B vitamins, particularly in cases where failure to thrive (FTT) is associated with underlying nutritional deficiencies. FTT is a condition characterized by inadequate physical growth, often due to insufficient caloric intake, malabsorption, or increased metabolic demands. Several B vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamin), are essential for the proper functioning of metabolic pathways that drive growth and development in infants and children.

Clinical studies and case reports have documented instances where deficiencies in one or more B vitamins—most notably vitamin B12 and thiamine—have led to symptoms of FTT, including poor weight gain, lethargy, and developmental delays. Supplementation in these cases has resulted in marked improvement. For example, B12 deficiency in infants, especially those born to mothers with untreated B12 deficiency, can cause significant growth and neurodevelopmental issues, reversible with timely supplementation.

However, routine supplementation of B vitamins in all cases of FTT is not universally recommended unless a deficiency is identified or suspected based on risk factors (such as strict vegetarian diets, malabsorption syndromes, or certain inborn errors of metabolism). Thus, the evidence for using vitamin B specifically to treat FTT is moderate (rating 3), primarily justified when deficiency is present, rather than as a general treatment for all FTT cases.

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