Vitamin B(12) intake and status in early pregnancy among urban South Indian women

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the vitamin B(12) status of South Indian women in early pregnancy and its relationship with sociodemographic, anthropometry and dietary intake.

Methods: Cross-sectional study among 366 pregnant urban South Indian women ≤14 weeks of gestation with outcome variables defined as low vitamin B(12) blood concentration (<150 pmol/l) and impaired vitamin B(12) status [low vitamin B(12) plus elevated methylmalonic acid (MMA) >0.26 µmol/l)].

Results: Low plasma vitamin B(12) concentration was observed in 51.1% of the women, while 42.4% had impaired B(12) status. Elevated MMA, elevated homocysteine (>10 µmol/l) and low erythrocyte folate (<283 nmol/l) were observed among 75.8, 43.3 and 22.2% of the women, respectively. The median (25th, 75th percentile) dietary intake of vitamin B(12) was 1.25 (0.86, 1.96) µg/day. Lower maternal body weight was associated with higher vitamin B(12) concentration [prevalence ratios (PR) (95% CI) 0.57 (0.39, 0.84)]. The predictors of impaired vitamin B(12) status were no consumption of yoghurt [PR (95% CI) 1.63 (1.03, 2.58)] or fish [PR (95% CI) 1.32 (1.01, 1.71)] and primiparity [PR (95% CI) 1.41 (1.05, 1.90)].

Conclusion: A high prevalence of vitamin B(12) deficiency in early pregnancy among urban South Indian women was related to primiparity and to a low consumption of yoghurt and fish.

Figure 1a

Association between plasma vitamin B₁₂ concentration and MMA level among South Indian pregnant women. Plasma vitamin B₁₂ concentration versus concentration of methylmalonic acid (MMA) in pregnant South Indian women (r = −0.184, P = 0.001, n = 349). The dotted line on the x axis denotes the cut off level for vitamin B₁₂ deficiency (< 150 picomol/L), while the dotted line on the y axis denotes the cut off level for elevated MMA (> 0.26 μmol/L).

Figure 1b

Association between plasma vitamin B₁₂ concentration and Hcy level among South Indian pregnant women. Plasma vitamin B₁₂ concentration versus concentration of homcysteine (Hcy) in pregnant South Indian women (r = −0.097, P = 0.069, n = 349). The dotted line on the x axis denotes the cut off level for vitamin B₁₂ deficiency (< 150 picomol/L), while the dotted line on the y axis denotes the cut off level for elevated Hcy (> 10 μmol/L).