Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 21, 2026

RNAi-mediated Control of Aflatoxins in Peanut: Method to Analyze Mycotoxin Production and Transgene Expression in the Peanut/Aspergillus Pathosystem
09:44

RNAi-mediated Control of Aflatoxins in Peanut: Method to Analyze Mycotoxin Production and Transgene Expression in the Peanut/Aspergillus Pathosystem

Published on: December 21, 2015

20.9K

Mycotoxin exposure and infant and young child growth in Africa: what do we know?

Martani J Lombard1

  • 1Centre of Excellence for Nutrition (CEN), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism
|October 25, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Infant exposure to mycotoxins like aflatoxin (AF) is linked to growth impairment in Africa. High AF exposure is associated with stunting and wasting, necessitating further research on other mycotoxins.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Infant and young child (IYC) growth impairment is a significant public health issue in Africa.
  • Early-life exposure to mycotoxin-contaminated staple foods contributes to IYC growth problems.
  • Understanding the impact of mycotoxins on IYC growth is crucial for developing interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the existing knowledge on mycotoxin exposure and its effects on IYC growth in Africa.
  • To identify the prevalence and levels of mycotoxin exposure in African infants and young children.
  • To assess the association between mycotoxin exposure and growth parameters in IYC.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search for studies on African IYC mycotoxin exposure and/or growth.
  • Inclusion criteria focused on IYC (under 15 years), mycotoxin exposure rates, and growth data; exclusion of animal studies and other mycotoxins.
  • Analysis of ten selected studies, primarily focusing on aflatoxin (AF) and fumonisin (FB), with limited data on deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA).

Main Results:

  • High prevalence (up to 100%) and levels of aflatoxin (AF) exposure were observed in African IYC, with placental transfer and correlation between maternal and breast milk levels.
  • Maternal AF exposure was significantly associated with lower height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) z-scores in infants.
  • Fumonisins (FB) exposure above tolerable daily intake levels was linked to reduced height and weight in IYC; DON and ZEA roles remain unstudied.

Conclusions:

  • Limited epidemiological data reveal extreme AF exposures in African IYC, strongly associated with stunting and wasting.
  • Urgent need for more extensive epidemiological research to elucidate the impact of fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone on IYC growth.
  • Findings underscore the critical public health threat posed by mycotoxins to early childhood development in Africa.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production in Transgenic Maize Expressing the α-amylase Inhibitor from Lablab purpureus L.09:21

Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production in Transgenic Maize Expressing the α-amylase Inhibitor from Lablab purpureus L.

Published on: February 15, 2019

9.5K
Using Chicken Embryo as a Powerful Tool in Assessment of Developmental Cardiotoxicities11:00

Using Chicken Embryo as a Powerful Tool in Assessment of Developmental Cardiotoxicities

Published on: March 21, 2021

4.0K

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
4.1K
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
58
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
972
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
19.3K
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors01:24

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
225
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
395