Efficacy in prenatal vitamin B12 supplementation preventing vitamin B12 deficiency in exclusively breastfed infants

Introduction: Vitamin B12 is essential for erythropoiesis, cell proliferation, nucleoprotein and myelin synthesis, and normal growth and development of cognitive functions. Material and methods: A retrospective cohort follow-up study is planned to determine vitamin B12 levels and to reveal the symptoms that occur in deficiency. A complete blood count is conducted as part of the standard protocol for pregnant women (third trimester) of pregnancy. At six months of age, the infant's serum vitamin B12 level, iron concentration, ferritin level, and complete blood count are assessed. 70 mother-baby pairs were followed up over the period from 01/01/2021 to 01/01/2022. The infant cohort included 51.4% boys (n=36) and 48.6% girls (n=34). Results: It was observed that 58.5% (n=41) of the mothers used multivitamin supplements, and 80% of them used iron medication. When the babies of mothers who took a multivitamin containing B12 were compared with the babies of other mothers, it was observed that there was a statistical significance in the B12 levels of the babies (p=0.012). Discussion: The effects of B12 supplementation given to mothers on the intelligence development of children were investigated. It was hypothesised that the recommendation to provide routine vitamin B12 supplementation to mothers could be incorporated into the existing guidelines. The concept was initially proposed during the course of the study. It is our view that the administration of vitamin B12 supplements to mothers has a beneficial effect on the vitamin B12 levels of their babies, and that vitamin B12 supplementation should be provided to mothers. Studies conducted in our country and in the world show that keeping the vitamin B12 level high during pregnancy and lactation is important for the health of the mother and baby. It is therefore recommended that pregnant women receive vitamin B12 supplementation, with continued supplementation for the first six months postpartum.