Vitamin B12 levels in 133 omnivorous mothers and their newborns at birth: A descriptive study

Abstract

Introduction: The role of vitamin B12 is essential in biological processes related to placentation, and fetal growth. Maternal vitamin B-12 deficiency is associated with an increased risk of common pregnancy complications and negative outcomes for the newborn.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine vitamin B12 levels in Uruguayan women in the immediate postpartum period and the levels in cord blood of their newborns, and to analyze the relationship between these two.

Methods: 133 pregnant women (in the third trimester of pregnancy) participated in this descriptive observational study. Total vitamin B12 concentrations were assessed in immediate postpartum mother samples and their newborns’, using umbilical cord blood at birth. For continuous variables, their normality was assessed graphically and using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The correlation between quantitative variables was estimated using Pearson's linear correlation coefficient.

Results: Vitamin B12 deficiency in maternal serum levels was 39.10% and in umbilical cord levels was 16.54%. The focus was on the relationship between maternal and neonatal vitamin B12 deficiency. A statistically significant relationship (p <0.000) was found, which reveals that mothers with vitamin B12 deficiency are five times more likely to have a child with vitamin B12 deficiency, OR= 5.6 95% CI (2.1- 16.6).

Conclusions: A high maternal prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was observed during the immediate postpartum period. As well as a direct relationship between the levels of maternal vitamin B12 during the immediate postpartum period and their newborn levels in the umbilical cord. Maternal deficit increases the risk of neonatal deficit at least twofold. Neonatal deficit, in turn, may have a negative impact on the neurodevelopment of infants and children.