Vitamin B12 status and predictors in a subsample of children and women from the Mexican National Nutrition Survey 1999

Abstract

Serum samples from the Mexican National Nutrition Survey 1999 (ENN‐99) were analyzed for vitamin B12 concentrations to assess the national and regional prevalences of its deficiency. Adequate samples were available from 482 children aged 10 to 59 mo and 462 women aged 12–49 y, living in rural and urban areas. Additional data included weight, height, BMI and food intake. Serum vitamin B12 and folate were measured by RIA. Data were compared by geographical area. Mean weight and height were 25±9 kg and 121±17 cm for children; and 59±16 kg and 150±23 cm for women. Median serum vitamin B12 concentrations were 223 and 241 pmol/L for women and children, respectively. Concentrations indicating deficiency (<150 pmol/L) were 25% for both women and children, and those indicating marginal status (150–221 pmol/L), were 24% for women and 19% for children. No significant differences in the prevalence of deficient or marginal status among geographical areas. Serum B12 concentrations were no associated with age in women (r=0.09 P=0.06) but it was negatively associated with age in children (r=−0.30, P=0.01). In women, neither weight, height nor BMI predicted serum B12, but in children serum B12 was negatively correlated with weight (r=−0.12, P=0.01). In children serum B12 concentration and food intake were strongly related (r=0.17, P=0.0002). Vitamin B12 deficiency was highly prevalent in Mexican women and children. Funded by UCMEXUS.