Studies have shown that maternal vitamin B12 supplementation benefits both short-term and long-term human milk (HM) status.
The study enrolled pregnant women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 2001 to 2004. Participants were randomly assigned to daily oral multiple micronutrient supplementation or a placebo group from the time of recruitment (12 to 27 weeks of gestation) until 6 weeks postpartum. A subset of participants were also randomly assigned to receive either postpartum supplements or a placebo from 6 weeks to 18 months postpartum.
The supplement contained 50 pieces. μg/d of vitamin B-12 and other vitamins. The researchers then analyzed HM vitamin B12 levels in 412 participants at 6 weeks and 7 months postpartum.
The prevalence of HM vitamin B12 <310 pmol/L was 73.3% at 6 weeks postpartum and 68.4% at 7 months postpartum. Prenatal supplementation increased HM vitamin B12 concentrations (percentage difference, 34.4, 95 percent confidence interval) [CI]17.0-54.5; p<0.001 at 6 weeks), but this effect did not persist at 7 months.
On the other hand, postnatal supplementation increased HM vitamin B12 concentrations at 7 months (percent difference, 15.9; 95 percent CI, 1.91 to 31.9; p=0.025).
Researchers observed the changing effects of prenatal and postnatal supplementation on HM vitamin B12 status at 7 months of age. Such effects were more evident among participants who received placebo during other periods.
“[T]”Prenatal supplements had a significant effect on postnatal management, and postnatal supplements had a significant effect on prenatal management,” the researchers said.
