Folate and Vitamin B12 Status in Latin America and the Caribbean: An Update

Background: The current magnitude of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean is uncertain. Objective: To summarize data on plasma or serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations in Latin America and the Caribbean reported since 1990, a period that covers the era before an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food and nutrition bulletin 2015-06, Vol.36 (2_suppl), p.S109-S118
Main Authors: Brito, Alex, Mujica-Coopman, Maria F., Olivares, Manuel, López de Romaña, Daniel, Cori, Héctor, Allen, Lindsay H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Caribbean Region - epidemiology
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Folic Acid - administration & dosage
Folic Acid - blood
Folic Acid Deficiency - blood
Folic Acid Deficiency - epidemiology
Food, Fortified
Humans
Latin America - epidemiology
Male
Nutritional Status
Pregnancy
Vitamin B 12 - blood
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency - blood
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency - epidemiology
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Summary:Background: The current magnitude of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean is uncertain. Objective: To summarize data on plasma or serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations in Latin America and the Caribbean reported since 1990, a period that covers the era before and after the introduction of folic acid fortification. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in 2012 and updated in 2014. Studies and surveys using biochemical biomarkers and conducted in apparently healthy individuals were identified. Results: Folate deficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean appears not to be a public health problem (prevalence < 5%) after the introduction of folic acid fortification. However, there is some indication that high rates of low or marginal vitamin B12 status remain in most locations and across population groups. Conclusions: Adding vitamin B12 as a fortificant with folic acid may be the best strategy in areas where vitamin B12 deficiency is an established concern.
ISSN:1564-8265
0379-5721
1564-8265
DOI:10.1177/0379572115585772