Vitamin B12 and Choline Status in a Cohort of Canadian Pregnant Women and their Newborn Infants

This study determined maternal and cord blood concentrations of vitamin B12, choline and their metabolites as well as their association with maternal diet and fetal genetic variants. Dietary intakes of vitamin B12 and choline were assessed in 368 Canadian pregnant women. Concentrations of vitamin B12, choline and their metabolites were measured in maternal blood at recruitment and at delivery, and in the cord blood. Fetal DNA was genotyped for twenty genetic variants in vitamin B12 and choline metabolism. Maternal vitamin B12 and choline metabolite concentrations were the strongest predictors of corresponding cord concentrations. Maternal and cord nutrient and metabolite concentrations were not significantly altered by maternal diet or fetal genetic variants. Our data underscore the importance of maternal vitamin B12 and choline concentrations during pregnancy in fetal development as they are the primary predictors of cord blood concentrations of these nutrients.M.Sc