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The relationship of neonatal serum vitamin B12 status with birth weight

S Muthayya1, P Dwarkanath, M Mhaskar

  • 1Division of Nutrition, Institute of Population Health and Clinical Research, St John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India. sumithra@iphcr.res.in

Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|November 2, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Maternal and neonatal vitamin B12 levels are linked to infant birth weight. Lower vitamin B12 in cord serum is associated with lower birth weights, highlighting the importance of vitamin B12 status during pregnancy.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Neonatal Health
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Previous research indicates a connection between maternal vitamin B12 status and birth weight.
  • This study specifically investigates the direct relationship between neonatal vitamin B12 levels and birth weight.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between maternal and neonatal vitamin B12 concentrations and infant birth weight.
  • To determine if neonatal vitamin B12 status is correlated with birth weight at different gestational ages.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 112 pregnant women from the first trimester.
  • Maternal blood samples collected during all three trimesters; cord blood samples collected at birth.
  • Analysis of maternal and cord serum vitamin B12 concentrations in relation to neonatal birth weight.

Main Results:

  • Significant correlations were found between maternal antenatal serum vitamin B12 and cord serum vitamin B12 across all trimesters (P<0.01).
  • Neonates with lower birth weights (<2500g and 2500-2999g) had significantly lower mean cord serum vitamin B12 levels compared to those >=3000g (P=0.02 and P=0.05).
  • Cord serum vitamin B12 positively correlated with birth weight up to 40 weeks gestation (r=0.28, P=0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Maternal vitamin B12 status directly influences neonatal vitamin B12 status, as indicated by cord serum levels.
  • Low neonatal vitamin B12 concentrations are adversely associated with low birth weight.
  • Maintaining adequate vitamin B12 levels during pregnancy may be crucial for optimal fetal growth and birth weight.

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