Vitamin B12 status and neurodevelopmental delay in Indian infants: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Background

Vitamin B12 deficiency owing to a vegetarian diet is common in India and is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in infants aged 1-12 months and to correlate the results with neurodevelopment.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 200 infants aged 1-12 months presenting to the emergency department or ward and requiring blood sampling or intravenous cannulation was undertaken in a tertiary-care centre of Northern India. Patients' serum vitamin B12 levels were correlated with Denver development screening test II (DDST II).

Results

Of 200 infants recruited, 43 (22%) were vitamin B12-deficient (<211 pg/ml). After excluding 16 (8%) infants who were unsuitable for DDST screening, 21/39 (54%) and 22/145 (15%) were DDST-suspect in the vitamin B12-deficient and sufficient groups, respectively (p = 0.0001). There was a statistically significant correlation between B12 deficiency and an abnormal DDST (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

In India, vitamin B12 deficiency is prevalent in infancy and is associated with neurodevelopmental delay.