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Background: vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with an increased risk for several adverse

pregnancy outcomes for both mother and fetus.

Objective: this study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in

pregnant women.

Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 66 pregnant women were

investigated at Alkhumus Clinic from January to October 2020. After a detailed obstetrical and

medical history, and clinical assessment, participants were subdivided into three groups.

Group I: first trimester, Group II: second trimester, and Group III: third trimester. These

groups were assessed for vitamin B12 and complete blood counts (CBC).

Results: Vitamin B12 deficiency was observed in 25.8% of the total participants. The mean of B

12 in the first, second and third trimesters was pg/mL341, 298.58 pg/mL, and 201.21 pg/mL,

respectively. The mean hemoglobin was 10.96±1.66 g/dl, the haematocrit 34.24±4.89%, red

blood cells 4.06±0.64 million/mm3, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 85.05±7.50 fl and vitamin

B12 (222.8±53.53) pg/mL. Hemoglobin levels were low in the third trimester (8.14±1.92) g/dl

compared to the first trimester (12.10±1.6 g/dl) and the second trimester (12.6±1.64 g/dl).

conclusion: This study concluded that the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is high in

pregnant women. The deficiency was highest in the third trimester of pregnancy when

compared with the first and second trimesters. However, there is no effect of age or parity on

vitamin B12 levels.

 

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