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Aflatoxin B1 level in relation to child's feeding and growth

Basma Osama Shouman1, Doaa El Morsi, Samira Shabaan

  • 1Department of Pediatrics/Neonatology, Mansoura University Children's Hospital, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. b_shouman@yahoo.co.uk

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|June 7, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding significantly reduces aflatoxin exposure in children. Aflatoxin exposure is strongly linked to impaired child growth, particularly reduced height-for-age Z-scores.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Aflatoxin exposure is a global health concern, particularly in vulnerable populations like children.
  • Sociological factors, feeding practices, and maternal health can influence a child's exposure to mycotoxins.
  • Understanding the impact of aflatoxins on child development is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of sociological factors, breastfeeding, and weaning on childhood aflatoxin exposure.
  • To determine the relationship between aflatoxin exposure and growth parameters in children, specifically height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) and weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ).

Main Methods:

  • A questionnaire collected data on child and maternal characteristics, including feeding and weaning practices.
  • Height and weight measurements were used to calculate HAZ and WAZ for 46 children.
  • Serum samples from children and mothers were analyzed for aflatoxin B1 levels using TLC.

Main Results:

  • Aflatoxin B1 was detected in 36.96% of children and 36.96% of mothers.
  • Breastfed children had significantly lower aflatoxin B1 levels compared to non-breastfed children (p=0.034).
  • Aflatoxin B1 exposure was significantly associated with lower HAZ (p=0.001) but not WAZ (p=0.422). A strong positive correlation was found between maternal and child aflatoxin B1 levels (r=0.881).

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding is a protective factor against aflatoxin exposure in children.
  • Aflatoxin exposure is significantly associated with impaired child growth, specifically stunting (reduced HAZ).
  • Maternal aflatoxin exposure is a strong predictor of child aflatoxin exposure.
Abstract

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