The analysis
A 2023 analysis published in Maternal & Child Nutrition reviewed the effects of maternal vitamin B12 deficiency on the cognitive functioning of preschool-aged children.
The analysis reviewed an earlier trial that included 791 pregnant women. It pulled a subsample of 249 participants and evaluated their recorded vitamin B12 levels in both the first and third trimesters. It then compared these levels to the cognitive functioning of the participants’ children at age four.
The children’s cognitive functioning at four years old was evaluated based on a combination of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence and the Neuropsychological Assessment of Development, both of which measure development and intellectual ability.
The results
Children whose mothers had higher vitamin B12 levels during early pregnancy scored higher in working memory skills than those whose mothers had lower levels of vitamin B12. The analysis concluded that “maintaining an adequate level of maternal vitamin B12 during early pregnancy contributes to improved performance in childhood working memory at four years of age.”
Going forward
This study shows the effects of vitamin B12 for pregnant women and their preschool-aged children, but the impact of this vitamin doesn’t stop at age four: maintaining adequate levels of vitamin B12 can also help reduce cardiovascular risk later in life and keep blood and nerve cells functioning properly.
B12 boost
You can add vitamin B12-rich foods to your diet by consuming animal products like eggs, fish, and dairy. This super vitamin can also be taken as a supplement, which comes in liquid, capsule, and tablet form.
It’s always recommended to discuss starting a new supplement with your health care practitioner, especially for pregnant women and children.
This article was originally published in the August 2024 issue of delicious living magazine.
