Effect of serum 25-OH D levels on vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in healthy preschool age (3-6 years old) children

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This prospective research aimed to evaluate the effect of serum 25-OH D levels on vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in healthy preschool age (3-6 years old) children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was conducted as a cross-sectional and descriptive study. In this context, 130 healthy children, aged 3-6, who applied to the Balıkesir University Health Practice and Research Hospital Child Health and Diseases General Pediatrics polyclinic, were included during working hours. Children who came for routine healthy child examination, and had blood taken for control purposes were included in the study. RESULTS: The frequency of smoking at home, vitamin B12 levels greater than 200, the rate of mothers’ diets primarily consisting of meat and vegetables during pregnancy, and the frequency of the child going outside every day were statistically significantly higher in the group with vitamin D levels greater than 20 (p<0.05). The mean folic acid level was significantly higher in the vitamin D (>20) group, whereas the mean homocysteine level was significantly lower (p<0.05). All other laboratory parameter differences between vitamin D groups were not statistically significant (p>0.05). 77.8% of participants with <20 ng/mL vitamin D had a vitamin B12 level between 0-200 pg/mL, whereas 22.2% in the vitamin D >20 ng/mL group had a vitamin B12 level between 0-200 pg/mL, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Correlation analysis results showed that vitamin D was significantly correlated with homocysteine (r=-0.2; p<0.05), vitamin B12 (r=0.3; p<0.01), and folic acid (r=0.3; p<0.01). CONCLUSION: There was a significant positive relationship between vitamin D levels and blood B12 and folic acid levels in healthy preschool children. In cases of B12 and folate deficiency in healthy children, measuring serum 25-OH-D levels and correcting the deficiency, if present, may have positive effects on serum B12 and folate levels. New supportive studies are needed on this subject.