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Vitamin B6 status of Ghanaian infants

Vitamin B6 intake from complementary foods is often low, but data are lacking on prevalence of B6 deficiency. We measured erythrocyte pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate concentration (EPLP) by HPLC in Ghanaian infants enrolled in an efficacy trial of Sprinkles (SP), Nutritabs (NT) and Nutributter (NB) added to home‐prepared complementary foods. SP contained Fe, Zn, vitamins A and C and folic acid; NT and NB contained these and several other micronutrients including 0.3 mg of B6. Infants (n = 313) were randomly assigned to receive SP, NT or NB daily from 6 to 12 mo of age. Non‐Intervention (NI) infants (n=96) were assessed at 12 mo only. EPLP was <51.6 nmol/L (the 10th percentile for Finnish breastfed infants) in 57.5% at 6 mo and 56.5% at 12 mo. However, there was no significant impact of NT or NB on EPLP at 12 mo [mean (SD): SP 53.2 (36.7), NT 53.5 (21.3), NB 52.0 (22.1), NI 59.9 (46.4)]. EPLP was inversely related to number of siblings at 6 (r=−0.20, p<0.01) and 12 mo (r=−0.13, p<0.05) and to socioeconomic status at 12 mo (r=−0.13, p<0.05). EPLP at 6 mo was not associated with subsequent growth or motor development after controlling for intervention group and potential confounders. Although B6 deficiency appears to be common in this population, provision of one RDA of B6 daily for 6 mo did not alter EPLP at 12 mo. Further research is needed to evaluate potential functional consequences of low EPLP.