Prevalence of mild serum vitamin B12 deficiency in rural and urban Costa Rican young adults

Holst-Schumacher, Ileana; Monge‐Rojas, Rafael; Barrantes-Santamaría, Mauro

doi:10.1590/s1020-49892007001100005

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(37 reference statements)

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“…The results of our study also showed lower levels of serum vitamin B 12 (194 pmol/l) in the women compared to French, Italian, Mexican, West African [31] , Costa Rican [36] , Polish [34] and Bangladeshi [29] women ( table 4 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Folate, Vitamin B<sub>12</sub> and Homocysteine Status in Women of Childbearing Age: Baseline Data of Folic Acid Wheat Flour Fortification in Iran

et al. 2008

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Background: Folic acid fortification implemented mandatorily in many countries has been associated with significant increase in blood folate concentrations and reduction in the prevalence of neural tube defects. However, there are controversial findings on the probability of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency being masked in the population after folic acid fortification. Baseline data on folate and vitamin B₁₂ status are necessary before mandatory flour fortification is implemented. Objectives: To assess dietary intake of folate and vitamin B₁₂ and to determine blood concentrations of folate, vitamin B₁₂ and homocysteine in women of childbearing age as baseline data regarding folic acid fortification in Iran. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed with 579 healthy women as a representative sample of the Golestan province. Fasting blood samples were taken and dietary (24-hour recall), health and sociodemographic data were collected with an interview. Serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B₁₂ were measured with radioimmunoassay, and plasma homocysteine concentrations were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Results: Mean serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B₁₂ were 13.6 nmol/l (95% CI 12.8–14.4) and 194.4 pmol/l (95% CI 183.8–205.0), respectively. Inadequate serum folate levels were present in 14.3% of the women and 22.7% had serum vitamin B₁₂ levels below normal. Mean plasma homocysteine concentration was 12.6 µmol/l (95% CI 12.1–13.2) and hyperhomocysteinemia was observed in 38.3% of the women. Mean daily intake of folate and vitamin B₁₂ was 198.3 µg (95% CI 185.4–211.3) and 2.6 µg (95% CI 1.9–3.2), respectively. Folate intake from food was positively correlated with serum folate concentrations (r = 0.084, p < 0.05) and inversely correlated with plasma homocysteine concentrations (r = –0.115, p < 0.01). Conclusions: An insufficient vitamin B₁₂ as well as folate status is present in Iranian women of childbearing age. The final evaluation will be carried out 18 months after flour fortification and the results will be compared with baseline data obtained from the present study in order to show the efficacy and safety of folic acid fortification in Iran.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Folate, Vitamin B<sub>12</sub> and Homocysteine Status in Women of Childbearing Age: Baseline Data of Folic Acid Wheat Flour Fortification in Iran

et al. 2008

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“…39,40,55 Local studies in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Chile conducted on multiple age groups indicate a range of rates of low and marginal vitamin B 12 status of 11% to 68%. 30,[41][42][43][44][45]47,48,50,51,56,57…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Folate and Vitamin B₁₂ Status in Latin America and the Caribbean

et al. 2015

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Background: The current magnitude of folate and vitamin B 12 deficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean is uncertain. Objective: To summarize data on plasma or serum vitamin B 12 and folate concentrations in Latin America and the Caribbean reported since 1990, a period that covers the era before and after the introduction of folic acid fortification. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in 2012 and updated in 2014. Studies and surveys using biochemical biomarkers and conducted in apparently healthy individuals were identified. Results: Folate deficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean appears not to be a public health problem (prevalence < 5%) after the introduction of folic acid fortification. However, there is some indication that high rates of low or marginal vitamin B 12 status remain in most locations and across population groups. Conclusions: Adding vitamin B 12 as a fortificant with folic acid may be the best strategy in areas where vitamin B 12 deficiency is an established concern.

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“…When compared to other studies, regionally, the prevalence of low levels appeared to be higher in Jordan (30.1%) [ 51 ] and Iran (27.1%) [ 34 ] but lower in Saudi Arabia (7.5%) [ 52 ] than our study finding (23%). Internationally, all studies except India (34%) [ 46 ] reported a lower prevalence of low serum levels of B12, including Bangladesh (~<15%) [ 53 ], Liechtenstein (13.4%) [ 54 ], Panama (11.8%) [ 55 ], Spain (10.9%) [ 43 ], Costa Rica (11.2%) [ 56 ], the UK (6%) [ 42 ], Ireland (6%) [ 57 ], Canada (~<6%) [ 58 ], Ecuador (5.46%) [ 39 ], the US (~3–4% in 1999–2002 [ 41 ] and ~<7% in 2003–2006 [ 59 ]), France (3.3%) [ 60 ], Australia (2.3%) [ 61 ], and Korea (~<2%) [ 62 ]. As for our alarming prevalence of low to intermediate levels of B12 combined together (61.1%), it unexpectedly appeared to be the highest of all published studies that assessed the prevalence of low serum levels of B12 to our knowledge, including Jordan (43.5%) regionally [ 52 ]; and Costa Rica (42.4%) [ 56 ], Panama (37.5%) [ 55 ], Canada (~<28%) [ 58 ], the US (17–20%) [ 41 ], Australia (14.7%) [ 61 ], Brazil (6.4%) [ 63 ], and Finland (4.7%) [ 64 ] internationally.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Time Trends of Low Serum B12 Levels and Inadequate B12 Dietary Intake in Lebanese Adults amidst the Food Insecurity Situation: Findings from a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study

Hoteit,

Khadra,

Fadlallah

et al. 2024

Nutrients

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Rising food insecurity (FI) and the increased prices of animal-based foods could compromise vitamin B12 (B12) intake and serum levels in food-insecure people. Our study aims to determine the prevalence of low levels of serum B12 and its inadequate dietary intake among a nationally representative sample of Lebanese adults aged 18 to 64 years, while exploring the impact of FI and identifying other potential predictors. The B12 intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and the mean of two non-consecutive 24 h recalls. The B12 serum levels were also examined. To examine the time trends in the B12 serum levels and dietary intake, the data from a large representative digitized database of 6290 participants were collected, along with the examination of FAOSTAT food consumption data both before and during the economic crisis period. Our findings revealed that 47.3% of households in Lebanon experienced FI. The inadequate intake of B12 food sources was prevalent in 52.5% of participants, and 61.1% presented with low (23%) or intermediate (38.1%) levels of serum B12. The food-secure households had a higher proportion of B12 intake from meats (p = 0.004), while traditional foods contributed more to food-insecure households (p = 0.000). The participants who were female, unemployed, food-insecure, and had low dietary diversity were about two to three times more likely to have inadequate B12 intake. The predictors of low levels of serum B12 included residing in Beqaa (OR = 2.856 and 95% CI = 1.018–8.01) and having inadequate B12 intake (OR = 1.788 and 95% CI = 1.2–2.65). The findings from observing the time trends in the consumption and the serum levels of B12 indicate a considerable decline in the consumption of most animal-based foods compared to the pre-crisis period, associated with a decline in the serum levels of B12. In conclusion, an alarming prevalence of low dietary intake and low serum levels of B12 was revealed among Lebanese adults, and the indirect effect of FI on B12 serum levels mediated through B12 intake was inferred.

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Prevalence of mild serum vitamin B12 deficiency in rural and urban Costa Rican young adults

Cited by 6 publications

References 28 publications

Folate, Vitamin B<sub>12</sub> and Homocysteine Status in Women of Childbearing Age: Baseline Data of Folic Acid Wheat Flour Fortification in Iran

Folate, Vitamin B<sub>12</sub> and Homocysteine Status in Women of Childbearing Age: Baseline Data of Folic Acid Wheat Flour Fortification in Iran

Folate and Vitamin B₁₂ Status in Latin America and the Caribbean

Prevalence and Time Trends of Low Serum B12 Levels and Inadequate B12 Dietary Intake in Lebanese Adults amidst the Food Insecurity Situation: Findings from a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study

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Prevalence of mild serum vitamin B12 deficiency in rural and urban Costa Rican young adults

Cited by 6 publications

References 28 publications

Folate, Vitamin B<sub>12</sub> and Homocysteine Status in Women of Childbearing Age: Baseline Data of Folic Acid Wheat Flour Fortification in Iran

Folate, Vitamin B<sub>12</sub> and Homocysteine Status in Women of Childbearing Age: Baseline Data of Folic Acid Wheat Flour Fortification in Iran

Folate and Vitamin B12 Status in Latin America and the Caribbean

Prevalence and Time Trends of Low Serum B12 Levels and Inadequate B12 Dietary Intake in Lebanese Adults amidst the Food Insecurity Situation: Findings from a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study

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Folate and Vitamin B₁₂ Status in Latin America and the Caribbean