Introduction
A maternal vitamin B-12 deficiency has been linked to a higher risk of common pregnancy issues, such as NTDs (neural tube defects), small-for-gestational-age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW), recurrent pregnancy loss, spontaneous abortion, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Anaemia is more common in babies born to mothers with low vitamin B-12 levels, growth failure, and developmental problems. A deficiency in vitamin B-12 may cause irreversible impairments to an infant's growth, psychomotor abilities, and brain development.
All phases of life benefit from maintaining a healthy, balanced diet. Still, pregnant women are especially motivated to take extra care of their bodies to ensure their unborn child develops into a robust, healthy adult. Particularly crucial nutrition components during pregnancy are the B vitamins, sometimes known as the vitamin B complex, which include vitamins B6, B9, and B12. Specifically, these three reduce the chance of birth abnormalities and alleviate several pregnancy-related discomforts.
What Is Vitamin B12?
The B complex, which includes vitamin B12, is another name for the class of B vitamins. Water-soluble vitamin B12 is added to some foods and can be supplemented.
The term cobalamin is another name for vitamin B12. Naturally occurring in animal-based diets, plant-based foods, including tofu, nutritional yeast, cereals, fruit juice, and plant-based milk and yogurts, are also fortified with it.
What Causes Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
The following are the causes of vitamin B12 deficiency:
Pernicious Anemia:
The most frequent cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in people is pernicious anemia in the United Kingdom. Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune illness that affects the stomach. The immune system of an individual with an autoimmune disease normally defends the body against illness. The infection targets the healthy cells within the body. A protein known as intrinsic factor is mixed with vitamin B12 in the stomach. The body subsequently absorbs this mixture of vitamin
B12 and Intrinsic Factors in the Gut
The immune system targets the stomach cells that produce intrinsic factors in pernicious anemia, which prevents the body from absorbing vitamin B12. Though its exact cause is unknown, women in their 60s, people with a family history of the condition, and people who already have an autoimmune disorder such as Addison's disease are at higher risk of developing pernicious anemia.
Diet
Vitamin B12 insufficiency can occur in certain individuals due to inadequate dietary intake of the vitamin. Vitamin B12 is typically sufficient for those who consume dairy products, but those who do not frequently consume these foods may develop a deficiency. Additionally, at risk are those who follow a vegan diet without taking vitamin B12 supplements or consuming foods fortified with the vitamin. The body's reserves of vitamin B12 can survive for two to five years if not renewed, so it may take some time for any issues to arise following a dietary modification.
Ailments of The Intestines
It is also possible for some intestinal disorders to prevent an individual from absorbing the recommended dosage of vitamin B12. For instance, the body may not get enough vitamin B12 in cases of Crohn's disease, a chronic ailment that results in inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract.
Medications
Some drugs can reduce the body's production of vitamin B12.
A few instances are:
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Metformin.
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Nitrous oxide.
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Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
The general practitioner will monitor vitamin B12 levels and be aware of medications that may have an impact.
What Are the Outcomes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency During Pregnancy?
According to much research, low maternal vitamin B-12 status has been linked to a higher risk of unfavorable perinatal outcomes.
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An elevated risk of early miscarriage (vitamin B-12 is less than 180 picograms/liter).
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NTDs (neural tube defect) (vitamin B-12 is less than 133 picograms/milliliter).
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Gestational diabetes (vitamin B-12 is less than 150 picomoles/liter).
However, based on its distribution in the population, some have used a cutoff of less than 148 or 150 pmol/L for serum or plasma vitamin B-12. Reduced levels of vitamin B-12 in mothers have been associated with an increased incidence of spontaneous abortion, early miscarriage, SGA (small-for-gestational-age), intrauterine growth restriction, and low birth weight (LBW).
What Are the Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
The following are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency:
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Weakness and fatigue.
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Dizziness.
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Lightheadedness.
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Inadequate recall (it alludes to the mental process of obtaining knowledge from the past).
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Stomach problems, such as diarrhea and constipation.
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Pale or yellow complexion.
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Tongue pain, swelling, or inflammation.
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Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
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Elevated breathing or heart rate.
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Anemia.
How to Treat Vitamin B12 Deficiency During Pregnancy?
Conducting a patient-specific risk assessment and using the guidelines for prescribing during pregnancy is critical. Verify whether or not a risk assessment has been completed before.
Red blood cell development, brain function, and DNA synthesis all depend on water-soluble vitamin B12, often known as cobalamin. The development of the fetus's brain and neural tube depends on vitamin B12 during pregnancy for optimal growth and development.
To treat and prevent vitamin B12 deficiency, two naturally occurring analogs of vitamin B12 are used: cyanocobalamin and hydroxycobalamin.
No particular dosage recommendations or guidelines are available for treating vitamin B12 insufficiency during pregnancy. Treating pregnant women who exhibit megaloblastic anemia and neurological disorders with symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency should not be stopped, nevertheless.
Intramuscular Hydroxocobalamin
Intramuscular hydroxocobalamin is the conventional treatment for clinically significant vitamin B12 deficiency; when vitamin B12 injection is ordered, hydroxocobalamin injection will be provided.
Conclusion
Deficiency of vitamin B-12 is prevalent during pregnancy and negatively affects both the mother and the unborn child. Preeclampsia, LBW (low birth weight baby), spontaneous abortions, NTDs (neural tube defect), and other pregnancy problems may be more likely in women who are vitamin B-12 deficient. When iron-folic acid was combined with prenatal vitamin B-12 daily, the mothers' and infants' vitamin B-12 status was considerably better than when iron-folic acid was used alone. Nevertheless, the significant gains in vitamin B-12 status were reversed when daily vitamin B-12 treatment was stopped.
