We investigated the frequency of vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency and their relation with intestinal helminthic infections, which are frequently shown in this region, in 203 children 9-12 years old and enrolled in three different primary schools in Şanlıurfa city center. Stool investigations were done using Kato-Katz method, complete blood counts with an automated cell counter, and serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were measured by electrochemiluminiscence method. Anemia was present in 4.9% of children and vitamin B12 deficiency in 10.8%, while folic acid deficiency was not found in any. The ova of intestinal helminths were found in 114 (57.3%) of 199 children whose stools were examined, and multiparasitism was seen in 41 children. Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 16.7% of children with helminthic infections and in 3.5%of children without them (χ²=7.880, p=0.005). Mean serum vitamin B12 level was significantly lower in children who had helminths than in those who did not (t=3.338, p=0.001). The lowest vitamin B12 levels were seen in children who had Hymenolepis nana and co-parasitism of Ascaris lumbricoides with Trichuris trichiura and Trichuris trichiura with Hymenolepis nana. Mean folic acid level was also statistically lower in children who had intestinal helminthes (t=2.502, p=0.013). These results shows that intestinal helminthic infections can affect the absorption of vitamin B12 in food, and can cause deficiency of this vitamin in childhood.

Keywords: B12 vitamini, folik asit, bağırsak solucanları, vitamin B12, folic acid, intestinal helminths