Contribution of food sources to the vitamin B12 status of South Indian children from a birth cohort recruited in the city of Mysore. Issue 4 (27th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Christian, Anna M; Krishnaveni, Ghattu V; Kehoe, Sarah H; Veena, Sargoor R; Khanum, Rumana; Marley-Zagar, Ella; Edwards, Phil; Margetts, Barrie M; Fall, Caroline HD
• Is Part Of: Public health nutrition. Volume 18:Issue 4(2015)
• Page Start: 596
• Page End: 609
• Publication Date: 2014-05-27
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S1368980014000974
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-9800

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="abs1" sec-type="general"> <title>Objective</title> <p>There is evidence that subclinical vitamin B<sub>12</sub> (B<sub>12</sub>) deficiency is common in India. Vegetarianism is prevalent and therefore meat consumption is low. Our objective was to explore the contribution of B<sub>12</sub>-source foods and maternal B<sub>12</sub> status during pregnancy to plasma B<sub>12</sub> concentrations.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs2" sec-type="general"> <title>Design</title> <p>Maternal plasma B<sub>12</sub> concentrations were measured during pregnancy. Children's dietary intakes and plasma B<sub>12</sub> concentrations were measured at age 9·5 years; B<sub>12</sub> and total energy intakes were calculated using food composition databases. We used linear regression to examine associations between maternal B<sub>12</sub> status and children's intakes of B<sub>12</sub> and B<sub>12</sub>-source foods, and children's plasma B<sub>12</sub> concentrations.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs3" sec-type="general"> <title>Setting</title> <p>South Indian city of Mysore and surrounding rural areas.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs4" sec-type="general"> <title>Subjects</title> <p>Children from the Mysore Parthenon Birth Cohort (<italic>n</italic> 512, 47·1 % male).</p> </sec> <sec id="abs5" sec-type="general"> <title>Results</title> <p>Three per cent of children were B<sub>12</sub> deficient (<150 pmol/l). A further 14 % had 'marginal' B<sub>12</sub> concentrations (150–221 pmol/l). Children's total daily B<sub>12</sub> intake and consumption frequencies of meat and fish, and micronutrient-enriched beverages were positively associated with plasma B<sub>12</sub> concentrations (<italic>P</italic>=0·006, <italic>P</italic>=0·01 and <italic>P</italic>=0·04, respectively, adjusted for socio-economic indicators and maternal B<sub>12</sub> status). Maternal pregnancy plasma B<sub>12</sub> was associated with children's plasma B<sub>12</sub> concentrations, independent of current B<sub>12</sub> intakes (<italic>P</italic><0·001). Milk and curd (yoghurt) intakes were unrelated to B<sub>12</sub> status.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs6" sec-type="general"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Meat and fish are important B<sub>12</sub> sources in this population. Micronutrient-enriched beverages appear to be important sources in our cohort, but their high sugar content necessitates care in their recommendation. Improving maternal B<sub>12</sub> status in pregnancy may improve Indian children's status.</p> </sec> </abstract>