Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Beef liver, anyone? Vitamin B12, found in organ meats, fish, eggs, and cheese, is important for optimal health, and especially during pregnancy and lactation. If you are a vegan or ever had weight loss surgery, you could be deficient in Vitamin B12, and you'll want to fix this before it affects your baby!

Only animal sources contain reliable, active forms of Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, supports nerve and brain health, helps form red blood cells, and aids in DNA synthesis. When pregnant or lactating, you'll need to know if you are at high risk for vitamin deficiencies, and in the case of Vitamin B12, this could cause symptoms in baby by 6 months of age. Vegans, who avoid all animal products, need Vitamin B12 supplements since this vitamin is only found in animal sources like meat, liver, fish, eggs and dairy. Also, those who have had gastric bypass surgery may have limited absorption of certain nutrients, including Vitamin B12, calcium, folate, iron, and protein. There are different types of gastric bypass that can limit absorption in various ways, so not all people will suffer deficiencies. But it is important to note that when a pregnant woman is deficient in B12, her baby will be born with correspondingly low levels, and as mom produces milk, if the deficiency isn’t corrected, her breastmilk will reflect insufficient levels of B12.

Symptoms of a B12 deficiency in adults

Oftentimes, babies with a B12 deficiency become symptomatic before mom, and may show signs like vomiting, lethargy, anemia, failure to thrive, hypotonia, (low tone) and developmental delays/regression. So if you're a vegan or if you've had gastric bypass, you'll want to pay close attention to your diet while pregnant and lactating, and consult with your health care provider about receiving a B12 injection or taking a supplement!