Gregory Russell-Jones
It has been known for over 40 years that dietary insufficiency of vitamin B12 in pregnant mothers can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency in the children and is often accompanied by developmental delay. In a previous study we found a deficiency of functional vitamin B2 in each members of a cohort 600 children and adults with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) of various ages (18 months to 34 years). The same cohort has also been assessed for functional vitamin B12 and each member of the cohort assessed was found to have functional vitamin B12 deficiency. The functional deficiency appeared to be related to the functional B2 deficiency that was attributed to insufficient dietary Iodine, Selenium and/or Molybdenum. The functional B12 deficiency occurred despite elevated serum B12 being found, and hence presents as Paradoxical vitamin B12 deficiency. As such, ASD due to functional B2 deficiency results in Paradoxical B12 deficiency, which differs from classical developmental delay due to vitamin B12 deficiency, as the later is correctable by administration of vitamin B12 alone. In contrast, ASD due to Paradoxical vitamin B12 deficiency requires resolution of functional B2 deficiency before treatment with vitamin B12 can be effective.