Maternal micronutrient biomarkers and risk of non‐syndromic cleft lip/palate: A case–control study

Objective This case–control study investigated the association s between maternal plasma vitamin B12, homocysteine, and red blood cell (RBC) folate levels and the risk of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) in offspring. Subjects and Methods The study compared 94 mothers and children with non‐syndromic CL/P from a teaching hospital in Thailand to 94 mother‐infant controls from local well‐baby clinics, frequency‐matched by birth date and mother's education. Data included anthropometric measurements, blood sample analyses, and a questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated the associations through multiple logistic regression, adjusting for confounders. Results Mothers with higher plasma vitamin B12 levels had a lower risk of having a child with CL/P compared to those in the lowest quartile. This association was more pronounced among mothers without a family history of orofacial clefts and those who were not underweight. Conversely, elevated homocysteine levels, a marker of impaired B vitamin metabolism, increased the risk of CL/P. No association was found between RBC folate and CL/P. Conclusion Higher maternal vitamin B12 levels are associated with a reduced risk of CL/P, while elevated homocysteine levels may increase the risk.