Plasma vitamin B₁₂ concentration is positively associated with cognitive development in healthy Danish 3-year-old children: the SKOT cohort studies

Abstract

Adequate vitamin B12 and folate concentrations are essential for neural development in early childhood but studies in well-nourished children are lacking. We investigated the relation between plasma vitamin B12 and folate at 9 and 36 months and psychomotor development at 36 months in well-nourished Danish children. Subjects from the SKOT cohorts with vitamin B12 measurement and completed Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) at 36 months were included (n=280). Dietary intake, vitamin B12- and folate concentrations were collected at 9 and 36 months, and ASQ-3 was assessed at 36 months. Associations between vitamin B12 and folate at 9 and 36 months and ASQ-3 were analyzed using regression models. Associations between diet and vitamin B12 were also investigated. No children had insufficient vitamin B12(<148pmol/L) at 36 months. Vitamin B12 at 36 month was positively associated with total ASQ-3 corresponding to an increase of 100 pmol/L vitamin B12 per 1.5 increase in total ASQ-3 score; p=0.019) which remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders including 9 months values. Vitamin B12 at 9 months or folate at any time point was not associated with total ASQ-3. Intake of milk products was associated with vitamin B12 at 36 months (p=0.003) and showed a trend at 9 months (p=0.069). Intake of meat products was not associated with vitamin B12. In conclusion, vitamin B12 was positively related to psychomotor development at 3 years in well-nourished children, indicating that the impact of having marginally low vitamin B12 status on psychomotor development in well-nourished children should be examined further.

Vitamin B12 – a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023

“…In Danish children aged 36 months with a mean (SD) serum vitamin B 12 concentration of 653 (240) pmol/L, an increase of 100 pmol/l in serum vitamin B 12 corresponded with a 1.5 increase in total Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) score, a measure of psychomotor development, raising a question about what is the optimal serum vitamin B 12 concentration in young children. Children in the lowest vitamin B12 quartile had about 10 ASQ scores lower compared to the other quartiles ( 80 ).…”

“…Whereas most studies question the effect of vitamin B 12 on mental helth in the elderly, positive associations are reported in children ( 80 ). Data on vitamin B 12 status and associated cognitive function and depression in elderly people are conflicting.…”