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 B ₁₂ 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 B ₁₂ and folate levels was undertaken using chemiluminescence immunoassay method. The consumption pattern of foods high in dietary vitamin B ₁₂ and folate was recorded using Food Frequency Questionnaire.
Results: The median levels (interquartile range) of serum vitamin B ₁₂ and folate were 326 (259-395) pg/ml and 7.7 (6-10) ng/ml respectively. The prevalence of vitamin B ₁₂ and folate deficiency amongst school age children was found as 7.4% and 1.5% respectively.
Conclusions: A low prevalence of vitamin B ₁₂ 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 B ₁₂ and folate.