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Updated: May 15, 2025
Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
Association between Maternal Vitamin B12 Status during Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcome - A Cross-Sectional Study
Punjari Purna Jyothi1, Manasi Garg1, Venkatesh Karthik1
1Department of Paediatrics, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Puducherry, India.
Insights
Maternal Vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy is linked to adverse neonatal outcomes, including lower birth weight. Routine screening and supplementation are crucial for pregnant women to ensure healthy fetal development.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatal Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Maternal Vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy is a significant concern, associated with adverse outcomes like preterm delivery and intrauterine growth restriction.
- Low Vitamin B12 levels in mothers can lead to reduced Vitamin B12 status in newborns, impacting their immediate health post-birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of maternal Vitamin B12 levels on neonatal outcomes.
- Specifically focusing on anthropometric measurements (birth weight, length, head circumference) and Vitamin B12 status in newborns.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 100 pregnant women over 28 weeks gestation.
- Maternal and neonatal blood samples were analyzed for Vitamin B12 levels; neonatal anthropometrics were measured.
- Statistical analysis included Chi-square tests and one-way ANOVA.
Main Results:
- 72% of mothers exhibited low Vitamin B12 levels (41% deficient, 31% insufficient).
- Neonates from mothers with low Vitamin B12 showed higher rates of low birth weight (9%) and being small for gestational age (23%).
- No statistically significant association was found between maternal Vitamin B12 status and neonatal anthropometric measurements, despite 7% of newborns having low Vitamin B12.
Conclusions:
- Maternal Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, notably lower birth weight.
- The study highlights the critical importance of routine Vitamin B12 screening and supplementation in pregnant women.
- Ensuring adequate maternal Vitamin B12 is essential for optimal fetal development and neonatal health.
Background:
Maternal Vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes, including preterm delivery, spontaneous abortion, intrauterine growth restriction and reduced Vitamin B12 levels in neonates.
Aims:
This study aimed to assess the impact of maternal Vitamin B12 levels on neonatal outcomes, particularly focusing on anthropometric measurements and Vitamin B12 status in newborns.
Subjects And Methods:
This prospective study was conducted from February 2023 to January 2024, involving antenatal mothers over 28 weeks of gestation admitted for delivery to a tertiary care hospital. After obtaining ethical clearance and informed consent, blood samples were collected to measure maternal Vitamin B12 levels, which were classified as deficient, insufficient or sufficient. Neonatal outcomes, evaluated immediately after birth, included birth weight, length, head circumference and Vitamin B12 status. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0. The Chi-square test was employed for analysing categorical variables, while one-way ANOVA was utilised for continuous variables.
Results:
Among the 100 mothers studied, 72% had low Vitamin B12 levels, with 41% being deficient and 31% insufficient. Neonates born to mothers with low Vitamin B12 levels showed higher incidences of low birth weight (9%), small for gestational age (23%), short length (<10th percentile) (5%) and small head circumference (<10th percentile) (1%). Although 7% of newborns had low Vitamin B12 levels, no statistically significant association was found between maternal Vitamin B12 status and neonatal anthropometric measurements.
Conclusion:
Maternal Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, including lower birth weight rates. These findings emphasise the critical need for routine screening and supplementation of Vitamin B12 in pregnant women.
