Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Clinical Practice—Proceedings of the International B12 Conference,June 2023,Rotterdam

Abstract

This supplement of the Food and Nutrition Bulletin is dedicated to the proceedings of “the International B12 Conference in Clinical Practice,” held in Rotterdam in June 2023. The conference brought together physicians, scientists, patient groups, and health care professionals with substantial expertise in diagnosing and treating vitamin B12 deficiency from many universities around the world. With a collective commitment to advancing clinical practice and improving patient outcomes, this event was instrumental in addressing the many complex and challenging aspects of vitamin B12 deficiency. The subjects explored at the conference ranged from the latest research findings to real-world case studies, spanning diverse medical disciplines, including pediatrics, obstetrics, neurology, internal medicine, gastroenterology, psychiatry, clinical chemistry, nutrition, public health, biomedical science, and nursing. The broad spectrum of disciplines reflects the multifaceted nature of vitamin B12 deficiency and underscores the necessity of a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to its diagnosis and treatment. This supplement aims to distill into a concise and accessible format the knowledge shared by stimulating and provocative presentations at the B12 Conference and to make the information available for the broader scientific and health care community. The compendium bridges the insights generated at the conference and the wider audience of health care practitioners, researchers, and policymakers who recognize the urgency of addressing the critical public health concerns surrounding vitamin B12 deficiency.

Plain language title

Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Clinical Practice: Proceedings of an International B12 Conference

Plain language summary

This supplement focuses on vitamin B12, a crucial micronutrient essential for overall human health. It summarizes the proceedings of the “International B12 Conference in Clinical Practice,” held in June 2023 in Rotterdam. The conference gathered experts from various fields, including physicians, scientists, patient groups, and health care professionals, to address the complexities of diagnosing and treating vitamin B12 deficiency. The content covers various topics, from the latest research findings to real-world case studies spanning diverse medical disciplines. The aim is to distill the conference’s knowledge into an accessible format for the broader scientific and health care community. The supplement emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to address Vitamin B12 deficiency by bringing together insights from different disciplines. The manuscripts within the supplement delve into the intricacies of vitamin B12 deficiency offering a synthesis of research findings, clinical insights, and innovative approaches to diagnosis and treatment. The goal is to inspire further research, inform clinical practice, and ultimately improve patient care in the critical areas of nutrition and health care. The supplement expresses gratitude to conference contributors, attendees, and supporters who made the event and publication possible. It aims to contribute to preventing or treating B12 deficiency and improving patients’ health and well-being. Whether at the beginning or end of life and all ages in between, addressing B12 deficiency can significantly enhance global health and quality of life.

Introduction

Vitamin B12, an essential micronutrient, is pivotal in maintaining human health across the entire lifespan. Several previous scientific and medical meetings have been dedicated to vitamin B12, its role in human health, and the causes and effects of its deficiency over the years. Knowledge of this fascinating micronutrient is constantly growing, necessitating frequent reassessment of the current state of knowledge and examination of the remaining unanswered questions. Deficiency of B12 can lead to various health issues, affecting individuals from the earliest stages of life to advanced age, particularly so at the extremes of life. The consequences of misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment are profound, underscoring the significance of in-depth research, clinical insights, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

This supplement of the Food and Nutrition Bulletin is dedicated to the proceedings of “the International B12 Conference in Clinical Practice,” held in Rotterdam in June 2023. The conference brought together physicians, scientists, patient groups, and health care professionals with substantial expertise in diagnosing and treating vitamin B12 deficiency from many universities around the world. With a collective commitment to advancing clinical practice and improving patient outcomes, this event was instrumental in addressing the many complex and challenging aspects of vitamin B12 deficiency.

The subjects explored at the conference ranged from the latest research findings to real-world case studies, spanning diverse medical disciplines, including pediatrics, obstetrics, neurology, internal medicine, gastroenterology, psychiatry, clinical chemistry, nutrition, public health, biomedical science, and nursing. The broad spectrum of disciplines reflects the multifaceted nature of vitamin B12 deficiency and underscores the necessity of a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to its diagnosis and treatment.

This supplement aims to distill into a concise and accessible format the knowledge shared by stimulating and provocative presentations at the B12 Conference and to make the information available for the broader scientific and health care community. The compendium bridges the insights generated at the conference and the wider audience of health care practitioners, researchers, and policymakers who recognize the urgency of addressing the critical public health concerns surrounding vitamin B12 deficiency.

The manuscripts within this supplement delve into the intricacies of vitamin B12 deficiency, offering a synthesis of the latest research findings, practical clinical insights, and innovative approaches to diagnosis and treatment of deficiency and metabolic disturbances of this important micronutrient. We trust that the knowledge and years of experience contained in the various contributions that fill these pages will inspire further research, inform clinical practice, and ultimately improve patient care in this vitally important area of nutrition and health care.

We have enjoyed working to distill the presentations at the conference into the permanent record contained in the supplement. We are most grateful to all who contributed to the success of the meeting through their presentations, attendance, and discussions. We are also grateful to the individuals and charitable foundations who, through their generosity, made both the conference and this publication possible. Respecting their desire for anonymity, we acknowledge their help and are humbled by the personal journeys that stimulated their interest in the subject of this endeavor. We hope that this compilation of knowledge will provide further insight into the diagnosis and treatment of B12 deficiency. Most importantly, in terms of outcome, it is our goal to contribute to preventing or arresting B12 deficiency and improving the health and well-being of patients suffering from chronic B12 deficiency who require optimal regimens of treatment to ameliorate their condition. At the bookends of life and at all ages between, B12 deficiency takes its toll on health and its remediation can substantially improve the quality of life around the globe.

Supplemental Material

Supplemental Material, sj-docx-1-fnb-10.1177_03795721241228631 - Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Clinical Practice: Scientific Insights at the Bookends of Life—Proceedings of the International B12 Conference, June 2023, Rotterdam

Supplemental Material, sj-docx-1-fnb-10.1177_03795721241228631 for Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Clinical Practice: Scientific Insights at the Bookends of Life—Proceedings of the International B12 Conference, June 2023, Rotterdam by Ralph Green and Clara Plattel in Food and Nutrition Bulletin