Vitamin B₁₂ Deficiency among a Mendelian Population of North India

Prevalence of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency has increased in community in recent time. The present study was done to assess vitamin B₁₂ status with respect to age and sex. Vitamin B₁₂ assays were performed on 1512 individuals from a North Indian Lacto vegetarian community and further validated on a familial sample of 79 individuals. Individuals were considered to be deficient, if vitamin B₁₂ levels were <220 pg mL⁻¹. Median levels of vitamin B₁₂ was below the normal range i.e. <220 pg mL⁻¹. Significant differences in median levels between males and females were observed (Mann-Whitney p<0.01). The results revealed no significant differences in females (χ² value = 37.82, p<0.01). Similar results among the families possibly indicate multigenerational dietary inadequacy along with the changes in lifestyle apart from vegetarian diet.