COGNITIVE DEFICITS ASSOCIATED WITH HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA IN SC AND ST CHILDREN OF SONBHADRA DISTRICT OF EASTERN UTTAR PRADESH

Sanskriti Upasna*, Tanvi Twara, Aruna Agrawal, G.P. Dubey and T. B. Singh

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cognitive is concerned with different domain of brain function like learning, memory, perception, concept, language, attention, metacognition, thinking, judgement etc. Over the decades a wide range of cognitive deficits has been observed in Indian children. There are multifaceted factors responsible for cognitive impairment in children includes nutritional deficiencies, genetic expression, prenatal and post-natal influences, behavioural influences as well as environmental influences. ‘‘Hyperhomocysteinemia’’ terms indicates increase in the elevated levels of homocysteine (Hcy) than the normal levels (5-15 μmol/l). Numerous longitudinal and cross sectional studies revealed elevated levels of total plasma homocysteine is associated with cognitive impairment. Objective: Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the relationship between blood plasma homocysteine levels and cognitive functions across different age groups of general, schedule caste and schedule tribe children’s of Sonbhadra district. Materials & Methods: Recruitment of subjects between the ages of 4-11 years was selected as part of comprehensive field study in different areas of Eastern Uttar-Pradesh purposively Sonbhadra. The district is divided into three groups and quota sample method was used to decide the number of study subjects to each groups and the selection of these subjects were carried out by convenience sampling. Biochemical examinations including vitamin B12, folate and vitamin B6 levels were done by using enzyme immunoassay kit. The obtained results were then statistically analysed. Results: Our observation of the present data implies that SC and ST children show reduced levels of vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate thereby results in elevated concentration of total homocysteine in blood plasma (tHcy). Conclusion: Therefore based on the result it has been concluded that by increasing dietary supplementation of folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 explore as a method for reducing the concentration of homocysteine.Introduction: Cognitive is concerned with different domain of brain function like learning, memory, perception, concept, language, attention, metacognition, thinking, judgement etc. Over the decades a wide range of cognitive deficits has been observed in Indian children. There are multifaceted factors responsible for cognitive impairment in children includes nutritional deficiencies, genetic expression, prenatal and post-natal influences, behavioural influences as well as environmental influences. ‘‘Hyperhomocysteinemia’’ terms indicates increase in the elevated levels of homocysteine (Hcy) than the normal levels (5-15 μmol/l). Numerous longitudinal and cross sectional studies revealed elevated levels of total plasma homocysteine is associated with cognitive impairment. Objective: Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the relationship between blood plasma homocysteine levels and cognitive functions across different age groups of general, schedule caste and schedule tribe children’s of Sonbhadra district. Materials & Methods: Recruitment of subjects between the ages of 4-11 years was selected as part of comprehensive field study in different areas of Eastern Uttar-Pradesh purposively Sonbhadra. The district is divided into three groups and quota sample method was used to decide the number of study subjects to each groups and the selection of these subjects were carried out by convenience sampling. Biochemical examinations including vitamin B12, folate and vitamin B6 levels were done by using enzyme immunoassay kit. The obtained results were then statistically analysed. Results: Our observation of the present data implies that SC and ST children show reduced levels of vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate thereby results in elevated concentration of total homocysteine in blood plasma (tHcy). Conclusion: Therefore based on the result it has been concluded that by increasing dietary supplementation of folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 explore as a method for reducing the concentration of homocysteine.

Keywords: homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6.