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Vitamin B12 deficiency among asymptomatic healthy infants: its impact on the immune system

Perran Boran1, Selin Yildirim2, Elif Karakoc-Aydiner2

  • 1Division of Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey - drperran@yahoo.com.

Minerva Pediatrics
|January 15, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in infants, linked to lower regulatory T cells (Tregs). Supplementation may reduce inflammation, but further research is needed on its long-term immune effects.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Immunology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency immunomodulatory effects in children remain understudied.
  • This study investigates vitamin B12's impact on the immune system in healthy infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in healthy infants.
  • To examine the relationship between vitamin B12 levels and immune markers in infants.
  • To evaluate the effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on immune parameters.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 611 healthy term infants was monitored.
  • Immune function was assessed in 60 infants, including immunoglobulin levels, lymphocyte subsets (Tregs), cytokine production, proliferation, and apoptosis.
  • Vitamin B12 levels were measured, and immune parameters were analyzed in deficient and control groups.

Main Results:

  • One-third of infants exhibited vitamin B12 deficiency.
  • Vitamin B12 deficient infants had a lower percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs).
  • Proinflammatory cytokines were reduced post-treatment, though Treg percentage increase was not significant. Immunoglobulins, apoptosis, and lymphocyte proliferation showed no significant differences.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency is a significant issue in developing countries.
  • The clinical implications of reduced Tregs and decreased proinflammatory cytokines warrant further investigation for allergies and autoimmune disorders.
  • The anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin B12 supplementation require additional study.
Abstract

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