biostudies-literatureSheng XThrasher Research FundNational Natural Science Foundation of China334https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6743151biostudies-literatureUnknown19(1)<h4>Background</h4>The local diet in high-poverty areas in China is mainly vegetarian, and children may be more vulnerable to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.<h4>Objective</h4>The aims of this study were to explore the vitamin B₁₂ status of toddlers living in high-poverty areas of China and to observe the effects of different complementary foods on the vitamin B₁₂ status and cognitive level of these toddlers.<h4>Methods</h4>The study was nested within a cluster-randomized controlled trial implemented in 60 administrative villages (clusters) of Xichou County in which infants aged 6 months old were randomized to receive 50 g/d of pork (meat group), an equi-caloric fortified cereal supplement (fortified cereal group) or local cereal supplement (local cereal group) for BMC pediatricsEffects of dietary intervention on vitamin B₁₂ status and cognitive level of 18-month-old toddlers in high-poverty areas: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.PMC6743151TRF 200708-02981703249813024468167317881172686Sheng XLi FOuyang FMa JWang JfalseEffects of dietary intervention on vitamin B₁₂ status and cognitive level of 18-month-old toddlers in high-poverty areas: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.<h4>Background</h4>The local diet in high-poverty areas in China is mainly vegetarian, and children may be more vulnerable to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.<h4>Objective</h4>The aims of this study were to explore the vitamin B₁₂ status of toddlers living in high-poverty areas of China and to observe the effects of different complementary foods on the vitamin B₁₂ status and cognitive level of these toddlers.<h4>Methods</h4>The study was nested within a cluster-randomized controlled trial implemented in 60 administrative villages (clusters) of Xichou County in which infants aged 6 months old were randomized to receive 50 g/d of pork (meat group), an equi-caloric fortified cereal supplement (fortified cereal group) or local cereal supplement (local cereal group) for 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Sep2026-05-03T19:29:42.451Z2019-09-24T07:11:15ZS-EPMC67431513151916710.1186/s12887-019-1716-z