Thanks to the OTC availability of almost all essential nutrients and minerals, dietary preference as a causative factor for disease, is no longer worrisome and if at all considered, might be so due to the ignorant or obdurate stances of the patients concerned. Vit B12 deficiency states do have a higher incidence in vegans (and pregnancy with its obvious demand on nutrition can push a borderline deficiency state over the line); however this can easily be overcome by supplementation. The ladies in question seem to have suffered more from poor obstetric advice. Thankfully, the effects are largely reversible.