OBJECTIVETo explore the levels of serum vitamin B(12) (VB(12)) in preschool children, determine the relationship between the levels of serum VB(12) and anemia, and analyze the effects of several factors related to the level of serum VB(12).

METHODSFrom March 2005 to July 2005, the weight, height and complete blood count (CBC) were studied in 351 children aged 2 to 7 years from 4 kindergartens of Chongqing. The concentrations of serum VB(12) and the dietary survey of 177 of the children were evaluated.

RESULTSThe average level of serum VB(12) for the preschool children was 552 pg/ml. The levels of serum VB(12) in 4.5% (8/177) of the children were below 200 pg/ml (defined as VB(12) deficiency), in 10.7% (19/177) of the children were 200 - 300 pg/ml (called marginal deficiency). There were no significant differences in the levels of serum VB(12) between boys and girls. And there was no correlation between the levels of serum VB(12) and hemoglobin. The results of multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that the concentrations of serum VB(12) were mainly influenced by the contents of VB(12) in the foods (P = 0.03). Eight of the children with normal growth and development were diagnosed as VB(12) deficiency, only one of them was diagnosed microcytic hypochromatic anemia. The ranges of Hb, MCV and MHC were normal in the other 7 children.

CONCLUSIONSThe levels of serum VB(12) of preschool children were higher than that of adults, suggesting that the levels of serum VB(12) change with age. There were no significant differences in the levels of serum VB(12) in 2-7 years old children between sex and ages. The levels of serum VB(12) were not correlated with the concentrations of hemoglobin. Macrocytic anemia may not occur in preschool children with VB(12) deficiency. The intake of VB(12) from the diets was one of the important factors for preschool children to keep the normal ranges of serum VB(12). It is beneficial for children to consume foods enriched with VB(12) to keep the normal level of serum VB(12).