Vitamin B12 supplementation during pregnancy and postpartum improves B12 status of both mothers and infants but vaccine response in mothers only: a randomized clinical trial in Bangladesh

Purpose Poor vitamin B12 (B12) status is associated with adverse outcomes in pregnancy and infancy. Little is known about effects of B12 supplementation on immune function. The present study aimed to evaluate effects of pre- and postnatal B12 supplementation on biomarkers of B12 status and vaccine-specific responses in mothers and infants. Method In a blinded, placebo-controlled trial, Bangladeshi women (n = 68, age 18-35 years, hemoglobin Results At baseline, 26% women were B12 deficient ( 271 nmol/L), and 31% had elevated tHcy (>10 μmol/L). Supplementation increased B12 in plasma, colostrums and breast milk (p Conclusion Supplementation with 250 μg/day B12 during pregnancy and lactation substantially improved maternal, infant and breast milk B12 status. Maternal supplementation improved H1N1 vaccine-specific responses in…