Child dietary intake of folate and vitamin B₁₂ and their neurodevelopment at 24 and 30 months of age

Objective. To evaluate whether child dietary intake of folate and vitamin B₁₂, is associated with mental and psychomotor development in Mexican children, respectively, at 24 and 30 months of age. Materials and methods. Information about neurodevelopment and dietary intake of folate and vitamin B₁₂ at 24 and 30 months of age among 229 children belonging to a perinatal cohort was analyzed longitudinally. Dietary information was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and neurodevelopment by Bayley Scale of Infant Development II. Results. At 30 months of age, dietary folate intake was marginally associated with increased Mental Development Index (MDI) (β=8.33; 95%CI -0.48, 17.14; p=0.06). Nonsignificant positive associations of vitamin B₁₂ with MDI were found. Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) was not associated with these nutrients. Conclusion. Dietary folate intake in early childhood may benefit the mental development of children.