May Prevent Major Birth Defects

For a pregnancy to be healthy, vitamin B12 levels must be adequate. According to studies, a fetus's brain and nervous system need enough B12 from the mother to develop normally.

Early in pregnancy, vitamin B12 deficiency can raise the chance of birth abnormalities such as neural tube disorders. Additionally, a mother's lack of vitamin B12 may result in a miscarriage or early delivery. According to one study, women with vitamin B12 levels below 250 mg/dL were three times more likely than those with appropriate levels to have a child with birth abnormalities. In comparison to women with levels above 400 mg/dL, the risk was five times greater for women with a vitamin B12 deficiency and levels below 150 mg/dL.