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Correlation between maternal and childhood VitB12, folic acid and ferritin levels
Fatima Zeeshan1, Attia Bari2, Saima Farhan3
1Fatima Zeeshan, MRCPCH, FCPS. Department of Paediatric Medicine, The Children's Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan.
Insights
Maternal anemia significantly impacts child hemoglobin. This study found higher rates of folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency in children and mothers, challenging previous assumptions about iron deficiency being the primary cause.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Hematology
- Maternal-Child Health
Background:
- Anemia is a significant global health issue in children, often linked to nutritional deficiencies.
- While iron deficiency has been historically emphasized, the roles of other micronutrients require ongoing investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between maternal and child serum levels of folic acid, vitamin B12, and ferritin.
- To identify neonatal risk factors contributing to anemia in children.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 180 anemic children aged 2-24 months and their mothers.
- Analysis included complete blood count (CBC), serum ferritin, folic acid, and vitamin B12 levels.
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.
Main Results:
- 66.7% of anemic children were male, with a mean age of 7.3 months and 55% malnourished.
- Low folic acid (60%) and vitamin B12 (45%) were prevalent, contrasting with low ferritin (4%).
- Significant correlations were found between maternal and child hemoglobin, vitamin B12 deficiency, and iron deficiency. Prematurity was linked to lower folic acid.
Conclusions:
- Maternal anemia is a critical factor influencing child hemoglobin levels.
- Folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies are more prevalent in children and mothers than previously recognized, shifting focus from solely iron deficiency.
Objective:
To determine the correlation between serum folic acid, vitamin B12 and ferritin of mother and child and to study various neonatal risk factors as a cause of anemia in children.
Methods:
One hundred eighty children two months to two years of age admitted in the department of Pediatric Medicine of The Children's Hospital and The Institute of Child Health Lahore from January 2013 to January 2015 with common medical conditions having anemia were included. Complete blood count (CBC), serum ferritin level, folic acid and Vitamin (Vit) B12 level were sent of children and their mothers. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Results:
Out of 180 children with anemia, 66.7% were males. Mean age of children was 7.3months. Fifty-five percent children were malnourished according to z scoring. The mean Hemoglobin (Hb) of children was 8 g/dl. Only 4% children had low ferritin level while 60% had low folic acid and 45% had decreased VitB12. There was significant correlation between Hb of mother and child (p =0.02), Vit B12 deficiency (p=0.008) and iron deficiency (p<0.001). Premature children had lower folic acid levels (p =0.02), while prematurity, IUGR, previous admission and history of sepsis showed no association with anemia in our study. Both breast-feeding and top feeding showed significant association with anemia with p-value of 0.042 and 0.003 respectively while dilution showed no impact on anemia.
Conclusion:
Maternal anemia has a significant impact on child's hemoglobin. As compared to previous concept of increased iron deficiency in children we found increased occurrence of folic acid and VitB12 deficiency in children and their mothers.
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