Evaluation of children between 6-12 years of age with vitamin B12 deficiency in terms of slow cognitive tempo

Abstract Background Slow cognitive tempo (SCT) is a disorder characterized by two symptomatic dimensions: motor symptoms such as sluggishness and slow movement, and such cognitive problems as daydreaming, appearing sleepy, slowed behavior/thinking, and confusion. Albeit its unclear etiology, SCT is considered multifactorial, as in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here, we aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency, one of the conditions causing neurodevelopmental retardation, and SCT.Methods Diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency, 52 patients without additional vitamin deficiency and psychiatric diseases, and 52 controls without vitamin deficiency and any diseases were included in the study. While the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised Long (CPRS-R:L) and the Barkley Child Attention Scale (BCAS) were performed with cases’ parents, their teachers underwent the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-Revised Long (CTRS-R:L) and BCAS. The scores were also evaluated statistically.Results Among B12 deficiency patients, parental education was found lower, and the number of siblings was higher than controls. The risk of patients’ daydreaming scores with vitamin B12 deficiency was 1.4 times higher than that of the controls. Given the investigation of SCT concerning sluggishness and daydreaming scores, a significant difference was detected in terms of sex difference (p = 0.008), and girls were seen to have a higher total score.Conclusion In families with a higher number of siblings and a lower level of parental education, vitamin B12 deficiency is more commonly witnessed, and the symptoms of SCT should be considered to develop in those with B12 deficiency, without severe neurological and hematological findings.