THE VITAMIN B6 DEFICIENCY SYNDROME IN HUMAN INFANCY: BIOCHEMICAL AND CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS

1 February 1963

journal article
Published by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in Pediatrics

Vol. 31 (2) , 240-250
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.31.2.240

Abstract

A 14-month-old female infant with seizures, controlled by vitamin B₆, was studied. Clinical and biochemical disturbances could be induced or corrected by manipulation of vitamin B₆ intake. Seizures, hyperirritability, hyperacousis, and changes in growth rate comprised the important clinical manifestations. Biochemical disturbances affecting metabolism of tryptophan, cystathionine, and taurine were identified. Widespread impairment of PLP availability at apoenzyme sites is implied by the data. Elevated daily requirement for vitamin B₆ were found, without excessive intestinal or renal loss of active vitamin, nor obvious vitamin antagonism. This suggested that a systemic abnormality of endogenous vitamin B₆ metabolism, not restricted to brain, might account for the "deficiency" syndrome.

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