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Vitamin B12 status and neurodevelopmental delay in Indian infants: a hospital-based cross-sectional study
This 2020 study explored the link between vitamin B12 deficiency and neurodevelopment among infants in India. Vitamin B12 consumption in India is low due to most of the population following a vegetarian diet. There is a connection between vitamin B12 shortages and neurodevelopmental disorders. This study used the Denver developmental screening test II (DDST II) to check for proper development in the infants. As well as this, vitamin B12 levels were assessed. The participants included in this study visited the emergency department or ward and required blood sampling or intravenous cannulation. There was a total of 200 infants included, aged 1 to 12 months old. Vitamin deficiency was detected in 43 infants (22% of the 200). After excluding a few infants due to unsuitability for DDST screening, 54% of the vitamin B12-deficient group showed slower development. Whereas 15% of the infants with sufficient levels of vitamin B12 were suspected to have delayed development. Inadequate vitamin B12 was strongly associated with an abnormal DDST. To conclude, vitamin B12 deficiency is prevalent in infants in India, and is related to neurodevelopmental delay. [NPID: infants, vitamins, development, India, Indian, children, deficiency, multivitamins, micronutrients, nutrients, nutrition, malnutrition, neurodevelopment]
Year: 2020
