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Cobalamin Status Among Patients with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)-A Preliminary Study
Magdalena Król-Dykas1, Katarzyna Dyląg1,2, Katarzyna Przybyszewska2
1Department of Pathophysiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121 Krakow, Poland.
Insights
This study found no vitamin B12 deficiencies in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). While FASD patients had higher vitamin B12 intake, serum levels and key markers did not significantly differ from controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are neurodevelopmental conditions linked to prenatal alcohol exposure.
- Elevated serum cobalamin (vitamin B12) has been observed in neurodevelopmental disorders, but its role in FASDs is unclear.
- This research investigates cobalamin and related markers in individuals with FASDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum cobalamin and metabolite levels in patients with FASDs versus healthy controls.
- To assess vitamin B12 intake in individuals with FASDs.
- To explore the relationship between cobalamin and its markers in the context of FASDs.
Main Methods:
- Study included 41 individuals diagnosed with FASDs and 39 healthy controls.
- Dietary intake of vitamin B12 was assessed using a 3-day diet history method.
- Serum levels of total cobalamin, holotranscobalamin, methylmalonic acid, and CD320 were measured.
Main Results:
- Patients with FASDs reported higher daily vitamin B12 intake compared to controls.
- No significant differences were found in serum cobalamin, holotranscobalamin, CD320, or methylmalonic acid levels between groups.
- Correlations between cobalamin and its metabolites differed between the FASD and control groups.
Conclusions:
- The study did not identify vitamin B12 deficiencies in individuals with FASDs.
- Further research is needed to clarify the complex role of vitamin B12 in FASD pathogenesis, as both high and low levels may have health implications.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders comprise a range of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Recent investigations have revealed that among patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, serum cobalamin (vitamin B12) levels are substantially higher than those of healthy controls. Patients with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders similarly present with higher levels of cobalamin, yet the significance of cobalamin in the pathogenesis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders remains to be established. This study aimed to examine cobalamin and other cobalamin status markers in patients with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in comparison with healthy controls. Methods: In total, 80 patients were enrolled in the study-41 diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and 39 healthy controls. The diet history method was used to assess vitamin B12 intake for three days preceding blood sampling. Total vitamin B12 (cobalamin), holotranscobalamin, methylmalonic acid and soluble transcobalamin receptor (CD320) were measured in serum samples. Results: The daily intake of vitamin B12 was higher in patients with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders compared to controls, both in the simple analysis and after adjusting for age (OR for patients with FASDs: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.16-2.87). An elevated serum cobalamin level was noted in some patients from the group with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in serum levels of cobalamin, holotranscobalamin, CD320 or methylmalonic acid. However, the correlations between cobalamin and its metabolites differed in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders as compared to those in the control group. Conclusions: Our study did not find any deficits of vitamin B12 and its metabolites in patients with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Further studies to investigate the role of vitamin B12 in the pathogenesis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders should be established given the fact that both high and low levels of vitamin B12 may have negative health impacts.
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