Abstrict
Background: vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with an increased risk for several adverse
pregnancy outcomes for both mother and fetus.
Objective: this study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in
pregnant women.
Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 66 pregnant women were
investigated at Alkhumus Clinic from January to October 2020. After a detailed obstetrical and
medical history, and clinical assessment, participants were subdivided into three groups.
Group I: first trimester, Group II: second trimester, and Group III: third trimester. These
groups were assessed for vitamin B12 and complete blood counts (CBC).
Results: Vitamin B12 deficiency was observed in 25.8% of the total participants. The mean of B
12 in the first, second and third trimesters was pg/mL341, 298.58 pg/mL, and 201.21 pg/mL,
respectively. The mean hemoglobin was 10.96±1.66 g/dl, the haematocrit 34.24±4.89%, red
blood cells 4.06±0.64 million/mm3, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 85.05±7.50 fl and vitamin
B12 (222.8±53.53) pg/mL. Hemoglobin levels were low in the third trimester (8.14±1.92) g/dl
compared to the first trimester (12.10±1.6 g/dl) and the second trimester (12.6±1.64 g/dl).
conclusion: This study concluded that the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is high in
pregnant women. The deficiency was highest in the third trimester of pregnancy when
compared with the first and second trimesters. However, there is no effect of age or parity on