Birth defect risk increases with lower B12 levels

New York – Deficiency of Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin during pregnancy may lead to congenital defects in new born baby.

These defects can be independent of folic acid deficiency. Recent study report indicated that women with lowest levels of B12 in the body had five times more risk for neural tube defect as compared to the women with highest levels of Vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 essentially forms the part of many chemicals and hence it is the part of every cell. It is also responsible for the production of Red Blood Cells and nerve cells. Vitamin B12 is found in sources like poultry, egg, fish, meat, milk and other dairy products. Women who are vegetarians or do not have meat are often found short of Vitamin B12. Minimum amount of Vitamin B12 concentration required in the blood is 300ng/L.

This trial was conducted with the data of 1200 women and with the initiative taken by Trinity College, Health board of Ireland and US National Institute of Health. Reports were published by Irish researchers in Medical journal Pediatrics. Doctors suggest that in order or safe guard the health of mother and the baby, it is essential to maintain Vitamin B12 levels in the body.