Prevalence of Vitamin B 12 and Folate Deficiency in School Children Residing at High Altitude Regions in India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies among children residing at high altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh, India.

METHODS: A total of 215 school children in the age group of 6-18 y were included. Biochemical estimation of serum vitamin B12 and folate levels was undertaken using chemiluminescence immunoassay method. The consumption pattern of foods high in dietary vitamin B12 and folate was recorded using Food Frequency Questionnaire.

RESULTS: The median levels (interquartile range) of serum vitamin B12 and folate were 326 (259-395) pg/ml and 7.7 (6-10) ng/ml respectively. The prevalence of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency amongst school age children was found as 7.4% and 1.5% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: A low prevalence of vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies was found amongst children aged 6-18 y living at high altitude regions in India. This is possibly due to high frequency of consumption of foods rich in vitamin B12 and folate.