The impact of vitamin B12 deficiency on infant gut microbiota

Conclusion: Vitamin B12-deficient infants have similar gut microbial composition as vitamin B12-sufficient infants. Since the samples were collected at an early period of life and the exposure to deficiency was relatively short, it may be possible that the effects were not fully established.What is Known:•Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for humans and also a crucial compound for human gut microbiota.•Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in exclusively breastfed infants.•In contrast to the adult gut microbiota, infant gut microbiota has been shown to have decreased capacity for de novo synthesis of vitamin B12 and depend on dietary source of vitamin B12.What is New:•There is no difference in the gut microbial composition of vitamin B12-deficient and vitamin B12-sufficient infants.
Source: European Journal of Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research