'B12 deficiency in mothers putting off-springs at risk of diabetes, coronary ailments'

A combination of vitamin B12 deficiency and high concentration of folic acid (folate) among pregnant women was leading to high levels of homocysteine amino acid, putting the newly-born babies at a risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) during their growth.

In its 20-year continuing study on the association between maternal total homocysteine and offspring birth weight, scientists at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) confirmed that high levels of homocysteine concentration during pregnancy was leading to low birth weight among the off-springs and 40-45 per cent of babies were born with a birth weight of less than 2.5 kg in the country.

Small size at birth is associated with poor perinatal outcomes and an increased risk of Type-II diabetes and CVD in later life.

"Homocysteine levels during pregnancy is the important determinant of birth weight and future risk of diabetes and cardiovascular syndromes. Higher the level of homocysteine, lower the birth weight of the off-spring," said GR Chandak, scientist and group leader at CSIR-CCMB. The key findings were published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

It also showed that individuals who carry a large number of genetic risk factors are at least 7.5 times at risk of diabetes, which is a "genetic disease for Indians".

In order to tackle this syndrome, CCMB suggested that B12 should be taken along with folate supplements to decrease the homocysteine levels in order to modify the immediate and long-term consequences.

CCMB plans to take up the issue with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) on administering the combination of B12 and folate to mothers as part of the Union health ministry's fetal peri-conceptual programme.