Effects of Vitamin B12 Supplementation on Children Under 12

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A comprehensive review of 16 studies involving 4,083 children under 12 years of age, published as of September 23, 2025, found that vitamin B12 supplementation reduces the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency and likely improves vitamin B12 levels in this population compared to placebo. The analysis, conducted by researchers evaluating interventions in 10 countries, highlights the potential benefits of standalone vitamin B12 supplements while noting uncertainties about broader health impacts. Text
The review, which included nine studies with 2,391 children, focused on the effects of vitamin B12 alone or in combination with other micronutrients. When compared to placebo, children receiving vitamin B12 supplements showed a reduced risk of deficiency and higher vitamin B12 levels, though no significant differences were observed in height, cognitive function, or motor development. These findings suggest that while supplementation addresses deficiency, its role in enhancing other health outcomes remains unclear. Text
When vitamin B12 was evaluated alongside other micronutrients, the evidence indicated little to no difference in outcomes such as anaemia, vitamin B12 levels, or adverse effects compared to supplements without B12. This suggests that the addition of B12 to multivitamin formulations may not provide additional benefits for children in the short or medium term. However, the review noted that the studies varied widely in duration, dosage, and participant age, limiting the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Text
Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell production and nerve function, and deficiencies in children have been linked to anaemia, growth delays, and cognitive impairments. The review emphasized that while standalone B12 supplements appear effective for addressing deficiency, the lack of consistent data on long-term health impacts underscores the need for further research. Researchers highlighted that most studies focused on short-term outcomes, with only one tracking effects over nine years. Text
The evidence base for vitamin B12 supplementation in children faces several limitations. The small number of studies, inconsistent reporting of health outcomes, and variability in intervention design reduced the confidence in some findings. For example, no studies provided data on adverse effects, and the review noted gaps in information about how B12 impacts growth, development, and cognition beyond deficiency prevention. Text
As of September 2025, the evidence remains inconclusive about whether vitamin B12 supplementation beyond deficiency prevention offers significant health benefits for children. The review underscores the need for cautious interpretation of current findings and highlights the importance of ongoing research to inform public health strategies.