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    QJM. 2008 Jun;101(6):475-7. Epub 2008 Mar 12.

    High rate of maternal vitamin B12 deficiency nearly a decade after Canadian folic acid flour fortification.

    Source

    Department of Medicine, St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. rayj@smh.toronto.on.ca

    Abstract

    Vitamin B12 deficiency may be an independent risk factor for neural tube defects (NTD). We determined the prevalence of biochemical B12 deficiency (<125 pmol/l) among 10 622 Ontarian women aged 15-46 years who underwent concomitant testing of serum bhCG and B12 9 years after the implementation of Canadian folic acid flour fortification. The overall prevalence of biochemical B12 deficiency was 7.4%. Relative to non-pregnant women, the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of biochemical B12 deficiency was 0.78 (0.60-1.0) among women pregnant 28 days gestation or less and was 1.4 (1.1-1.8) after 28 days gestation. About 1 in 20 women may be deficient in B12 in early pregnancy. The impact on maternal and fetal well-being, including preventable NTD, should be considered.

    PMID:
    18337285
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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