The frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency in term newborns and their mothers and its relationship with maternal nutrition

Objective: Vitamin B12 has an important place in the synthesis of DNA, which is responsible for cell division and proliferation. In vitamin B12 deficiency, changes are observed in the functions of many vital systems such as the cardiovascular system and nervous system. Vitamin B12 cannot be synthesized in the human body, it must be taken from outside with food. It is actively passed from the mother to the baby through the placenta during pregnancy. When the baby is born, it has about 25-50 mcg of vitamin B12 stores. This warehouse in the newborn baby is enough to meet the needs of 6 months-1 year. The daily amount needed for growth is about 0,1 mcg/day The tasks of vitamin B12 include DNA synthesis, methylation, neurotransmitter synthesis. It also acts as a cofactor in important reactions such as the homocysteine/methionine cycle. Due to the deficiency of vitamin B12, which has such an important function, more severe deficiency symptoms are observed in childhood, especially in early childhood periods such as newborns, where growth is rapid. Babies born to mothers with low socioeconomic status will be more likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiency, since their vitamin B12 stores will be low. Foods containing animal protein as a rich source of vitamin B12; milk, fish, meat can be given as examples. We conducted our study to determine the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency and its relationship with maternal nutrition in 100 healthy mothers and their infants admitted to our hospital. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out between June 2018 and April 2019 in İnönü University Turgut Özal Medical Center Gynecology and Obstetrics Service with mothers who had just given birth and their healthy babies who did not develop any complications at birth and who were brought to the neonatal clinic for postnatal control purposes, whose physical examination was normal, and whose age range was between 1 day and 30 days. A total of 100 infants and their mothers were recruited. Results: As a result of our study; It was determined that there was a very high rate of vitamin B12 deficiency in mothers and babies in Malatya and its surrounding provinces. Vitamin B12 deficiency was detected in 56% of the mothers. The mean value of vitamin B12 level in mothers was 218.87 pg/ml. Vitamin B12 deficiency was detected in 31% of the infants. The mean level of vitamin B12 in infants was 268.1 pg/ml. While a very strong negative correlation (r=-0.831, p=0.001) was found between the mother's vitamin B12 level and methylmalonic acid level, a weak positive correlation was reported when compared with homocysteine (r=0.232, p=0.020). While a very strong negative correlation (r=-0.933 p=0.001) was found between infants' vitamin B12 level and methylmalonic acid level, no statistically significant result was found when compared with homocysteine (r=0.472 p=0.477). When the vitamin B12 levels of the mothers and their babies were analyzed statistically, a moderate correlation was found (r=0.534, p=0.001). No significant correlation was found between maternal age, education level, chronic disease history, regular medication, monthly income, red meat consumption, offal, carbonated beverage consumption, number of children and vitamin B12 level. However, a significant relationship was found between the consumption of fish and dairy products and vitamin B12 levels of the mothers (p=0.013, p=0.043, respectively). No clinical findings were detected in the mothers and their babies. Discussion: It has been reported that micronutrient deficiencies have many negative effects on human health, even if they do not have clinically evident symptoms. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes an important health problem in all segments of the society, especially in families with low socioeconomic status. Although no clinical findings are observed initially, it can cause severe neurological findings if not treated. Our aim should be to detect deficiencies before clinical findings appear. In our study, we found that vitamin B12 deficiency is common in newborn babies and their mothers in our region. As a result, vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnant women should be prevented, babies should be provided with vitamin B12 at a level that can meet their postnatal needs, and the development of irreversible neurological findings as a result of this deficiency in early childhood should be prevented. Keywords: Vitamin B12 deficiency, newborn, mother