Child B12 Follow-up

The effect of vitamin B₁₂ supplementation on growth and neurodevelopment in Nepali children after one and two years - extended follow up

Vitamin B₁₂ is involved in the metabolism of every cell and has a key role in the functioning of our nervous system. Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies worldwide and can occur at all ages. An association between vitamin B₁₂ deficiency with neurodevelopment and child growth has been reported with potentially irreversible impairments. It is therefore important to study to what extend an improvement in vitamin B₁₂ status in children also improves developmental outcomes, and which populations potentially benefit the most. 

The first 1 000 days of life, starting at conception, represents a particular vulnerable period for neurodevelopment and growth. The timing of a nutritional deficiency during these 1 000 days may have differing effects on different functions and areas of the nervous system. It is thus important to study at which age supplementation might result in improved functioning on different sub-scales of development and to assess if effects persist after the end of supplementation.

This study is a follow-up of an ongoing randomized placebo-controlled trial. In total, 600 Nepalese children were enrolled at age 6-11 months, and half of them received 2µg of vitamin B₁₂ supplementation daily for 1 year. The trial aims to assess improvements in neurodevelopment and growth after one and two years after the end of supplementation. It will provide information expanding on that being provided by the CISMAC study on vitamin B₁₂ supplementation during pregnancy. These studies combined will be the most comprehensive study on the effects of vitamin B₁₂ supplementation throughout the most vulnerable period of life. The results can be used to guide national and international nutrition recommendations.

Principal Investigator:
Tor Strand, Innlandet Hospital Trust, and University of Bergen, Norway
Laxman Shrestha, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Manjeswori Ulak, Tribhuvan University, Nepal