Contribution of food sources to the vitamin B-12 status of South Indian children from a birth cohort recruited in the city of Mysore

卷:18

Christian, Anna M. ; Krishnaveni, Ghattu V. ; Kehoe, Sarah H. ; Veena, Sargoor R. ; Khanum, Rumana ; Marley-Zagar, Ella ; Edwards, Phil ; Margetts, Barrie M. ; Fall, Caroline H. D.

关键词: India;    Vitamin B-12;    Child;    Source;   

DOI  :  10.1017/S1368980014000974

学科分类：食品科学和技术

【 摘 要 】

Objective: There is evidence that subclinical vitamin B-12 (B-12) deficiency is common in India. Vegetarianism is prevalent and therefore meat consumption is low. Our objective was to explore the contribution of B-12-source foods and maternal B-12 status during pregnancy to plasma B-12 concentrations. Design: Maternal plasma B-12 concentrations were measured during pregnancy. Children's dietary intakes and plasma B-12 concentrations were measured at age 9.5 years; B-12 and total energy intakes were calculated using food composition databases. We used linear regression to examine associations between maternal B-12 status and children's intakes of B-12 and B-12-source foods, and children's plasma B-12 concentrations. Setting: South Indian city of Mysore and surrounding rural areas. Subjects: Children from the Mysore Parthenon Birth Cohort (n 512, 47.1 % male). Results: Three per cent of children were B-12 deficient (<150 pmol/l). A further 14 % had 'marginal' B-12 concentrations (150-221 pmol/l). Children's total daily B-12 intake and consumption frequencies of meat and fish, and micronutrient-enriched beverages were positively associated with plasma B-12 concentrations (P=0.006, P=0.01 and P=0.04, respectively, adjusted for socio-economic indicators and maternal B-12 status). Maternal pregnancy plasma B-12 was associated with children's plasma B-12 concentrations, independent of current B-12 intakes (P<0.001). Milk and curd (yoghurt) intakes were unrelated to B-12 status. Conclusions: Meat and fish are important B-12 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-12 status in pregnancy may improve Indian children's status.