As a mother, you always strive to provide appropriate nutrition for your children, ensuring their optimal growth and development. One of the crucial nutrients that support this is B vitamins. These are micronutrients that play vital roles in various physiological processes, including energy production and neurological function. However, deficiencies in these vitamins can have adverse effects on children's health and may contribute to the development of various neurological disorders.(1,2)

The Importance of B-Vitamins: 

B-vitamins are a group of water-soluble vitamins, including thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9), and cobalamin (B12). They play a crucial role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, biosynthesis of DNA, and red blood cell production. These vitamins are also important for maintaining normal brain function and supporting the immune system. Since our body does not store them, they must be consumed daily to maintain optimal levels. (2,3,4)

Understanding B-Vitamin Deficiencies:

B-vitamin deficiencies can manifest in different ways, each with specific health implications.

  • Thiamine (B1) deficiency can lead to a broad range of neurological signs such as anorexia, irritability, agitation, muscle pain, reduced or absent reflexes, difficulty with coordination, muscle weakness leading to difficulty in movement, and altered levels of alertness that get worse over time. (5) 
  • Riboflavin (B2) deficiency can manifest as dermatological issues such as cracked lips, inflammation at the corners of the mouth, dry tongue, and scaly skin. (6)
  • Niacin (B3) deficiency can cause pellagra, characterized by the triad of dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. (7) 
  • Pyridoxine (B6) deficiency can cause convulsions, anaemia, growth retardation, and weight loss. (8) 
  • Folic acid deficiency can result in megaloblastic anemia, poor growth, and stunting, increased risk of infections, cognitive dysfunction, and neurological damage. (9)  
  • Cobalamin (B12) deficiency can result in megaloblastic anemia, neurological abnormalities, developmental delays, irritability, weakness, and growth failure. (10,11)

Factors contributing to the deficiencies:

Several factors contribute to B-vitamin deficiencies in children, including inadequate dietary intake, poor absorption due to gastrointestinal disorders, and certain medications that interfere with vitamin metabolism. (4) 


Ways to Overcome B-Vitamin Deficiencies:

Dietary diversification and promoting a balanced diet rich in B-vitamin sources such as whole grains, lean meats, fish, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables. (2,4)

Vitamin B supplementation could be one of the options, under the guidance of a healthcare professional. (4)

Ensuring proper food preparation techniques to preserve B vitamins, such as sauteing or stir-frying. (12)

Recommendations for B vitamins in children:

As per the guidelines from ICMR-NIN, the recommended nutritional needs for children are outlined as follows: (13)


Bringing a Balanced Blend of B Vitamins to Your Child:

Introducing NANGROW, a creamy vanilla-flavoured milk drink designed specifically for growing children. With a balanced blend of B vitamins, including 0.58mg of Thiamine, 0.8mg of Riboflavin, 1.1mg of Vitamin B6, 90µg Folic acid, and 1µg Vitamin B12, NANGROW is scientifically formulated to help support normal physical growth and development.


So, in the world of uncertainty where one doesn’t know what tomorrow may bring, you know one thing, that your child is ready for any possible future!

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References:

  1. Hossain KS, Amarasena S, Mayengbam S. B Vitamins and Their Roles in Gut Health. Microorganisms. 2022 Jun 7;10(6):1168. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10061168. PMID: 35744686; PMCID: PMC9227236.
  2. Hanna M, Jaqua E, Nguyen V, Clay J. B Vitamins: Functions and Uses in Medicine. Perm J. 2022 Jun 29;26(2):89-97. doi: 10.7812/TPP/21.204. Epub 2022 Jun 17. PMID: 35933667; PMCID: PMC9662251.
  3. Calderón-Ospina CA, Nava-Mesa MO. B Vitamins in the nervous system: Current knowledge of the biochemical modes of action and synergies of thiamine, pyridoxine, and cobalamin. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2020 Jan;26(1):5-13. doi: 10.1111/cns.13207. Epub 2019 Sep 6. PMID: 31490017; PMCID: PMC6930825.
  4. Farhan Sarwar, M., Haroon Sarwar, M. and Sarwar, M. (2022) ‘Deficiency of vitamin B-complex and its relation with body disorders’, B-Complex Vitamins - Sources, Intakes and Novel Applications [Preprint]. doi:10.5772/intechopen.99456. 
  5. Hiffler L, Rakotoambinina B, Lafferty N, Martinez Garcia D. Thiamine Deficiency in Tropical Pediatrics: New Insights into a Neglected but Vital Metabolic Challenge. Front Nutr. 2016 Jun 14;3:16. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2016.00016. PMID: 27379239; PMCID: PMC4906235.
  6. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency in children (2024) Dr C P Ravikumar. Available at: https://cpravikumar.com/riboflavinvitamin-b2-deficiency-in-children/ (Accessed: 23 April 2024). 
  7. Pediatric pellagra: Niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency in children (2024) Dr C P Ravikumar. Available at: https://cpravikumar.com/pediatric-pellagra-niacin-vitamin-b3-deficiency-in-children/ (Accessed: 23 April 2024). 
  8. Bhandari NR. Vitamin B6 deficiency and convulsions. Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 1959 May;26(S4):371–4. doi:10.1007/bf02989345. 
  9. Shalini T, Pullakhandam R, Ghosh S, Kulkarni B, Rajkumar H, Sachdev HS, Kurpad AV, Reddy GB. Prevalence of Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiencies in Indian Children and Adolescents. Nutrients. 2023; 15(13):3026. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15133026.
  10. Rasmussen SA, Fernhoff PM, Scanlon KS. Vitamin B12 deficiency in children and adolescents. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2001 Jan;138(1):10–7. doi:10.1067/mpd.2001.112160 
  11. The Royal Children’s hospital melbourne [Internet]. [cited 2024 Apr 23]. Available from: https://www.rch.org.au/immigranthealth/clinical/Vitamin_B12/#:~:text=B12%20deficiency%20can%20cause%20life,or%20hyperirritability%2C%20microcephaly%20and%20coma. 
  12. Spritzler, F. (2019) How cooking affects the nutrient content of foods, Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cooking-nutrient-content#tips (Accessed: 23 April 2024).
  13. Recommended Dietary Allowance for children aged 1-3 years & 4-6 years; NIN-ICMR 2020.