Vitamin B12 Intake and Status in Early Pregnancy among Urban South Indian Women

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the vitamin B₁₂ 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 B₁₂ blood concentration (<150 pmol/l) and impaired vitamin B₁₂ status [low vitamin B₁₂ plus elevated methylmalonic acid (MMA) >0.26 µmol/l)]. Results: Low plasma vitamin B₁₂ concentration was observed in 51.1% of the women, while 42.4% had impaired B₁₂ 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 B₁₂ was 1.25 (0.86, 1.96) µg/day. Lower maternal body weight was associated with higher vitamin B₁₂ concentration [prevalence ratios (PR) (95% CI) 0.57 (0.39, 0.84)]. The predictors of impaired vitamin B₁₂ 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 B₁₂ deficiency in early pregnancy among urban South Indian women was related to primiparity and to a low consumption of yoghurt and fish.