Breastfeeding and biomarkers of folate and cobalamin status in Norwegian infants: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Folate and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) are essential for growth and development. This cross-sectional study aims to describe folate and vitamin B12 status according to infant age and breastfeeding practices in Norwegian infants. Infants aged 0–12 months (n = 125) were recruited through public health clinics.We registered breastfeeding status and measured serum concentrations of folate, cobalamin, total homocysteine (tHcy), and methylmalonic acid (MMA). The associations between infant age, breastfeeding, and biomarker concentrations were estimated in regression models. The mean (SD) age was 24 (16) weeks, and 42% were exclusively breastfed, 38% were partially breastfed, and 21% were weaned. Overall, median (IQR) folate, cobalamin, tHcy, andMMAconcentrations were 47 (35–66) nmol/L, 250 (178–368) pmol/L, 6.99 (5.69–9.27) μmol/L, and 0.35 (0.24–0.83) μmol/L, respectively. None of the infants were folate deficient, 15% were vitamin B12 deficient (6.5 μmol/L) andMMA (>0.26 μmol/L) were found in 62% and 69% of the infants, respectively. Compared to weaned, exclusively or partially breastfed infants were younger and had 46% higher tHcy concentrations (P