Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Background: Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a vital water-soluble micronutrient involved in DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and neurological function. Its deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with adverse outcomes, including spontaneous abortion. However, the extent of this association in Iraqi women remains underexplored.
Objective: To investigate the association between serum vitamin B12 levels and spontaneous abortion, and to assess correlations with demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors.
Methods: A comparative case-control study was conducted at [Hospital Name], involving 120 pregnant women-60 experiencing spontaneous abortion and 60 with normal pregnancies. Serum vitamin B12 concentrations were measured, and relevant variables (age, BMI, gestational age, physical activity, dietary animal intake, prior abortion history, and residence) were documented. Statistical analysis included independent sample t-tests, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients.
Results: Women with spontaneous abortion had significantly lower mean vitamin B12 levels (168.45±39.70 pg/mL) compared to women with normal pregnancies (247.80±42.10 pg/mL; p<0.001). A significant negative correlation was observed between vitamin B12 and maternal age (r=-0.362, P=0.001) and BMI (r=-0.285, P=0.005), while a positive correlation was found with gestational age (r=0.240, P=0.011) and dietary animal intake (r=0.433, P=0.001). Women who engaged in regular physical activity (≥3 times/week) had higher vitamin B12 levels (179.25±30.60 pg/mL) compared to sedentary participants (163.20±35.95 pg/mL; P=0.041). A history of previous abortion was associated with significantly lower B12 levels (156.50±36.70 pg/mL vs. 178.20±34.40 pg/mL; P=0.014). Similarly, women residing in rural areas had lower levels (159.20±34.75 pg/mL) than those in urban areas (175.90±36.80 pg/mL; P=0.043). Although nausea/vomiting during pregnancy showed a trend toward lower B12 levels, the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.134).
Conclusion: Vitamin B12 deficiency is significantly associated with spontaneous abortion and correlates with several maternal risk factors, including age, BMI, gestational age, physical activity, previous abortion, and rural residence. These findings highlight the importance of early nutritional assessment and intervention to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes in high-risk populations.