Low Maternal B12 Increases Childrens Risk of Heart Defects

ROTTERDAM, NetherlandsLow periconceptional levels of B12 in women may increase the risk of their children having a congenital heart defect (CHD). Researchers from the University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, investigated the association between maternal intake of B vitamins and CHD risk in the child. In the case-control study, 192 mothers of a child with a CHD, and 216 mothers of healthy children filled out food frequency questionnaires and had blood testing for B vitamin and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations as nutritional biomarkers.

Dietary intake of macronutrients and B vitamins was comparable between the groups, with all mothers having substantially lower median folate intake (cases 161 mcg, controls 175 mcg) than the Dutch recommended daily allowance of 300 mcg. Within the case-group, protein and B6 intake and concentrations of serum B12 and folate were significantly lower in hyperhomocysteinemics (tHcy = 14.5 µmol/l) than in women with normal homocysteine levels. Maternal education was positively associated with B vitamin intake, with case mothers with low education showing significantly lower median B12 intake compared to controls. CHD risk doubled if B12 intake in these women was reduced by 50 percent compared to controls.

The researchers concluded low B12 intake may increase a womans risk of having a child with a CHD; low intake of folate and protein may also play a role. They further noted,, as hyperhomocysteinemia is a strong risk factor for adult cardiovascular disease, mothers with this condition and their children should be targeted for appropriate nutritional intervention.

The study appeared in the European Journal of Nutrition (DOI:10.1007/s00394-006-0622-y).