Low plasma vitamin B-12 in Kenyan school children is highly prevalent and improved by supplemental animal source foods.

The high prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency in many regions of the world is becoming recognized as a widespread public health problem but it is not known to what extent this deficiency results from a low intake of the vitamin or from its malabsorption from food. In rural Kenya where a previous study identified a high prevalence of inadequate vitamin B-12 intakes this study examined whether plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations were associated with dietary sources of the vitamin at baseline and could be increased by supplementation with animal source foods (ASF). The 4 experimental groups in 503 school children were: 1) control (no food provided); 2) githeri (a maize and bean staple with added oil); 3) githeri + meat (githeri + minced beef); or 4) githeri + milk (githeri + milk). Feedings were isocaloric. Dietary data were collected at baseline and biochemical data at baseline and after 1 and 2 y of feeding. Baseline plasma vitamin B-12 concentration was 193.6 ± 105.3 pmol/L and correlated with % energy from ASF (r = 0.308 P0.001). The odds ratio for low plasma vitamin B-12 (< 148 pmol/L) which occurred in 40% of children was 6.28 [95% CI: 3.07--12.82] for the lowest vs. highest ASF intake tertile (P < 0.001). Feeding ASF (meat or milk) greatly reduced the prevalence of low plasma vitamin B-12 (P < 0.001). The high prevalence of low plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations in these children is predicted by a low intake of ASF and supplemental ASF improves vitamin B-12 status. (authors)