Vitamin B12 is a complex nutrient necessary for the formation of blood cells and the functioning of the nervous system. As an adult, the vitamin protects against dementia, fatigue, heart disease, and fertility issues.
Pregnant women who have the slightest deficiency in vitamin B12 may be at a higher risk for giving birth to a child with a disease that could be potentially disabling or even fatal. For unborn children, vitamin B12 is needed for the development of the brain and nervous system.
Deficiencies and Birth Defects
Vitamin B12 deficiencies are specifically linked to birth defects in the neural tube. Problems in the neural tube can result in serious diseases like spinal bifida (which can lead to paralysis) and anencephaly (causing the brain and spinal cord to be severely underdeveloped).
A deficiency in vitamin B12 can also lead to a lesser production of myelin, which can cause sleeplessness and excessive crying for a newborn.
The Supporting Research
To acquire this information, studies were done back in 1983, when prenatal vitamins weren’t as common as they are today. Researchers, funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, took notes on the vitamin B12 levels of almost 1,200 Irish women throughout their pregnancies.
The women were separated into three groups. The study concluded that if the women’s B12 levels were under 250mg/L, she was almost three times as likely to give birth to a child with a neural tube defect. Women whose levels dropped below 150mg/L were up to five times as likely to deliver a child with a neural tube defect.
Researchers suggest a woman have a vitamin B12 level of at least 300mg/L before becoming pregnant to reduce the risk of birth defects. During pregnancy, a healthy level of vitamin B12 would be around 400mg/L. When a pregnant woman consumes vitamin B12, not only is it being stored and used in her body, but the baby is also storing and using the vitamin.
Meeting Recommended Dietary Intake
Since vitamin B12 is strictly found in animal sources, vegetarians and vegans need to be more concerned with their levels. There are such things as fortified soy milk and cereal, but the B12 isn’t abundant enough for a pregnant woman. Also, some tofu and tempeh are said to have vitamin B12, but that is not always true.
If diet alone does not amount to the recommended intake, pregnant women should consider supplements. To boost levels before conception, women might consider vitamin B12 injections. However, this course of action isn’t always recommended during pregnancy.
For women with mostly normal diets, they should stick to an eating plan full of foods like lean meats and fish, milk, cheese, eggs, and shellfish. The recommended vitamin B12 intake is higher during pregnancy, so a woman must add even more animal products to her diet.
Pregnancy is a delicate stage and needs to be treated as such. Knowledge on the recommended vitamin consumption will help ensure the delivery of a healthy child. Vitamin B12 is extremely vital throughout a baby’s period in the womb. If a woman is considering becoming pregnant, she should talk with her doctor about the steps she can take prior to conceiving that will reduce the risks of defects or difficulties during and after pregnancy.
