The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the maternal dietary intake of B-vitamins and having a child with a congenital heart defect (CHD). This was a case control study that comprised of 192 mothers with children that have CHD and 216 mothers with healthy children. The mothers took a questioner that evaluated their dietary intake. Blood samples were used to determine vitamin b levels. It was discovered that education level played a large role in the amount of vitamin b the women were consuming. Mothers with low education level showed a lower vitamin b 12 intake than the controls. The CHD risk doubled if vitamin B12 intake in these mothers reduced by 50%.
The study concluded with a diet low in vitamin b12 was associated with an increased risk of a child developing CHD, especially in low educated women.
European Journal of Nutrition (EUR J NUTR), 2006 Dec; 45(8): 478-86 (41 ref)
2 comments:
interesting research article, nice job finding it. I thought folic acid was the key to fetal development - but I can't remember if folic acid was b2, b3 or b6 and whether or not that is fat soluble or water soluble vitamin.
I thought this was a really interesting study. I wonder if vegan moms were at risk too. I looked up foods high in b12 and it was mostly meats, which are traditionally more expensive foods, something that some people have to ration. It would be good to encourage people on a budget or vegans to eat fortified cereals.
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