Vitamin B₁₂ status and neurodevelopmental delay in Indian infants: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

Background: Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency owing to a vegetarian diet is common in India and is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.Objective: To investigate the prevalence of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in infants aged 1-12 months and to correlate the results with neurodevelopment.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 200 infants aged 1-12 months presenting to the emergency department or ward and requiring blood sampling or intravenous cannulation was undertaken in a tertiary-care centre of Northern India. Patients' serum vitamin B₁₂ levels were correlated with Denver development screening test II (DDST II).Results: Of 200 infants recruited, 43 (22%) were vitamin B₁₂-deficient (<211 pg/ml). After excluding 16 (8%) infants who were unsuitable for DDST screening, 21/39 (54%) and 22/145 (15%) were DDST-suspect in the vitamin B₁₂-deficient and sufficient groups, respectively (p = 0.0001). There was a statistically significant correlation between B₁₂ deficiency and an abnormal DDST (p < 0.0001).Conclusion: In India, vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is prevalent in infancy and is associated with neurodevelopmental delay.