The main goals of this study are to evaluate whether supplementation with folate and vitamin B12 to 8 to 10 year old children, in conjunction with reduction in arsenic exposure, can increase arsenic methylation and lower blood arsenic and blood monomethyl arsenic (as previously observed in adults). The investigators will also explore whether folate and B12 can mitigate arsenic-related decrements in cognitive abilities.
While reducing arsenic (As) exposure in Bangladesh and the U.S. must continue to be a top priority, this has proven difficult. After decades of efforts to reduce exposure, 42 million people in Bangladesh remain exposed to As above 10 µg/L, the WHO guideline for As in drinking water. Risk for arsenic-related health outcomes lingers for decades after exposure has been reduced. Innovative strategies to lower arsenic exposure and and reduce its potential adverse health effects of As are needed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
239
5 μg/d vitamin B12 to be given orally. This is a standard nutritional supplement commonly used in the US.
Placebo pills, with same appearance as intervention pills.
400 μg/d folic acid to be given orally. This is a standard nutritional supplement commonly used in the US.
Columbia University Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Change in arsenic methylation
Change in arsenic methylation patterns in blood and urine. The ability to methylate arsenic influences an individual's ability to excrete it in urine.
Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks
Change in in blood arsenic
Change in arsenic level in blood is to be measured in mg/L. This is an indicator of the body burden of arsenic and arsenic excretion
Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks
Change in blood monomethyl arsenic
Change in monomethyl arsenic level in blood is to be measured in units of ug/L. This is an indicator of the body burden of arsenic and arsenic methylation capacity.
Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks
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