2 Case reports of birth defect associated with deficiency in bariatric surgery patients

The January 2010 issue of SOARD reports on 2 cases of birth defect that appear to have resulted from severe maternal Vitamin deficiency after malabsorptive bariatric surgery. The first case was of a baby born at 33 weeks to a 27 year old mother 16 months post-op from a biliopancreatic diversion (BPD). The mother was deficient in vitamin A, D, K, Protein, selenium and zinc. The infant was delivered prematurely with multiple defects including bone malformation, cleft palate, facial hypoplasia, and respiratory insufficiency. The baby died at 3 months of age. The second case was of a full-term infant born to a 26 year old mother 11 months post-op from a roux-en-y gastric bypass. The infant was born with multiple defects of bone and cartilage as well as hearing loss which were attributed primarily to maternal vitamin K deficiency. While most of the recent reports of pregnancy after weight loss surgery have been positive in terms of both fetal and maternal health, these cases should remind us that nutritional deficiency in pregnancy can lead to grave results. Both of these patients had been counseled about waiting 18 months to 2 years before becoming pregnant, one even having signed a consent form prior to bariatric surgery. Because of the significant impact that massive weight loss can have on fertility, it is likely that more young, obese women will opt for bariatric surgery to not only improve their overall health, but also to assist with pregnancy. Clinicians and patients alike need to be made aware of the problems that can arise when women who are not adequately nourished become pregnant.

Reference: Kang L , Marty D, Pauli RM, Mendelsohn NJ, Prachand V, Waggoner D. Chondrodysplasia punctata associated with malabsorption from bariatric procedures. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2010 Jan-Feb;6(1):99-101. Epub 2009 May 23.

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One of the many reason why I did not choose a malabsorptive procedure, and why I am so diligent about taking high quality ADULT Vitamins.

Thanks for sharing. It's important for people to realize just how serious vitamins/nutrients are for our bodies to function.

You're welcome. I did think if you when I read the info.

One of the many reason why I did not choose a malabsorptive procedure, and why I am so diligent about taking high quality ADULT Vitamins.

Thanks for sharing. It's important for people to realize just how serious vitamins/nutrients are for our bodies to function.

Wasn't aware. Very imformative. Thanx for the info!

2 Case reports of birth defect associated with deficiency in bariatric surgery patients

The January 2010 issue of SOARD reports on 2 cases of birth defect that appear to have resulted from severe maternal Vitamin deficiency after malabsorptive bariatric surgery. The first case was of a baby born at 33 weeks to a 27 year old mother 16 months post-op from a biliopancreatic diversion (BPD). The mother was deficient in vitamin A, D, K, Protein, selenium and zinc. The infant was delivered prematurely with multiple defects including bone malformation, cleft palate, facial hypoplasia, and respiratory insufficiency. The baby died at 3 months of age. The second case was of a full-term infant born to a 26 year old mother 11 months post-op from a roux-en-y gastric bypass. The infant was born with multiple defects of bone and cartilage as well as hearing loss which were attributed primarily to maternal vitamin K deficiency. While most of the recent reports of pregnancy after weight loss surgery have been positive in terms of both fetal and maternal health, these cases should remind us that nutritional deficiency in pregnancy can lead to grave results. Both of these patients had been counseled about waiting 18 months to 2 years before becoming pregnant, one even having signed a consent form prior to bariatric surgery. Because of the significant impact that massive weight loss can have on fertility, it is likely that more young, obese women will opt for bariatric surgery to not only improve their overall health, but also to assist with pregnancy. Clinicians and patients alike need to be made aware of the problems that can arise when women who are not adequately nourished become pregnant.

Reference: Kang L , Marty D, Pauli RM, Mendelsohn NJ, Prachand V, Waggoner D. Chondrodysplasia punctata associated with malabsorption from bariatric procedures. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2010 Jan-Feb;6(1):99-101. Epub 2009 May 23.

Abstract: Click Here