Vitamin B-12 and folate status in early pregnancy and cardiometabolic risk factors in the offspring at age 5-6years: findings from the ABCD multi-ethnic birth cohort

ObjectiveTo explore whether maternal vitamin B-12 and folate status during early pregnancy are associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in the offspring at age 5-6. DesignProspective multi-ethnic birth cohort, the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development study (ABCD). Setting12373 pregnant women living in Amsterdam were approached between 2003 and 2004 for participation in the study. PopulationMother-child pairs for whom information on maternal vitamin B-12 or folate status in early gestation and health at age 5-6years was available (n=1950). MethodsVitamin B-12 and folate concentrations were determined in maternal serum at intake in early pregnancy (median 13weeks' gestation). Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and fasting blood samples were collected during a health check of children aged 5-6years. Multiple linear regression was performed to investigate the association between maternal serum concentrations and children's outcomes, corrected for confounders. Main outcome measuresGestational age at birth, birthweight, body mass index (BMI), glucose levels, triglyceride levels, blood pressure and heart rate of the offspring at age 5-6. ResultsLow maternal folate levels during early pregnancy were associated with slightly higher BMI in the offspring [decrease per 10 units: 0.07kg/m(2), 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01, 0.13]. Low maternal vitamin B-12 concentrations were associated with higher heart rates (decrease per 100 units: 0.49 beats/min, 95% CI 0.11, 0.87). ConclusionThis study provides further evidence that maternal nutrition in early pregnancy may possibly program cardiometabolic health of the offspring. Tweetable abstractLow folate and vitamin B-12 levels during pregnancy are associated with higher BMI and heart rate in offspring. Tweetable abstract Low folate and vitamin B-12 levels during pregnancy are associated with higher BMI and heart rate in offspring