Early Infant Micronutrition and Development (RART)

Vitamin B12 Status in Infancy and the Effect of Providing Vitamin B12 to Infants With Signs of Suboptimal Vitamin B12 Status - a Registry-based, Randomized Controlled Trial

Globally, vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies. Poor status is also seen in affluent countries such as in Norway. Vitamin B12 is crucial for normal cell division and differentiation and necessary for the development and myelination of the central nervous system. Deficiency is also associated with impaired fetal and infant growth. In the proposed study we will measure the effect of daily oral vitamin B12 supplementation infants on neurodevelopment. We also aim to measure the impact of B12 supplementation on several other outcomes. Study design: Individually randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial breastfed infants who will be assigned to a screening group (in which measurements will be obtained immediately) or a control group (in which serum will be stored and measurements done after one year). Pregnant women will be informed about the study during their first antenatal visit at the clinic and that we will re-approach them on their 6-week visit to their public health nurse. Infants who are deficient will be treated with peroral or intramuscular injections with 400 µg cyano-cobalamin. Infants in the control group will not be offered any intervention their blood sample will be stored for one year and then analyzed for the same nutrients as the intervention group. Outcomes: Primary: (i) neurodevelopment in children measured at 12 months of age (ii) growth in children measured by attained weight and length at 12 months. Secondary: (i) neurodevelopment and cognitive functioning in children later in life

From 6 weeks of age, infants will be screened for elevated plasma total homocysteine concentrations. Those who have a concentration above the defined cut-off will be treated with cobalamin (vitamin B12).

The control-group sample will be stored and analyzed when the child is 12 months old. Those with elevated tHcy will contribute to the control group.

General cognitive abilities ("IQ") assessed by the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence

Inclusion Criteria: Availability of informed verbal consent Plan to reside in the defined study area for the next 12 months Mothers intend to breastfeed their children for at least 8 months, and exclusively for 4 months Exclusion Criteria: Severe systemic illness requiring hospitalization Growth retardation Severe congenital malformations Plasma cobalamin concentration <148 pmol/L (These children will be treated for vitamin B12 deficiency and not included in the RCT, but will be included in the cohort design)

Data will be available not later than 5 years after the study have completed enrollment and the first year of follow-up of all children.

Data available on request. In order to meet ethical requirements for the use of confidential patient data, requests must be approved by Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics in Norway.

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