[Cobalamin deficiencies in adults: update of etiologies, clinical manifestations and treatment]

Abstract

Purpose: Update of the adult cobalamin deficiencies.

Current knowledge and key points: More precise definitions establish the true cobalamin deficiencies and determine their real epidemiology. The current clinical data suggest the concept of food-cobalamin malabsorption as the leading etiology of cobalamin deficiency. The new features of cobalamin deficiency include neurological, gynecological and vascular manifestations. Current treatment modalities include nasal, sublingual and oral cobalamin administration.

Prospects and projects: Studies are in the way to establish the relevance of the new clinical manifestations and to validate the usefulness of oral cobalamin therapy.