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Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
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Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes

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Maternal aflatoxin exposure during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes in Uganda

Jacqueline M Lauer1,2,3, Christopher P Duggan2,3,4, Lynne M Ausman1,2

  • 1Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts.

Maternal & Child Nutrition
|September 23, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Maternal aflatoxin exposure during pregnancy is linked to adverse birth outcomes. This study found that higher aflatoxin levels in mothers were associated with lower birth weight and smaller head circumference in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Aflatoxins, toxic metabolites from Aspergillus molds, are prevalent in food supplies, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
  • In utero and infant exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) have been associated with impaired child growth and development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal aflatoxin exposure during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes, focusing on birth weight.
  • To assess the impact of maternal AFB1 exposure on infant anthropometry and birth characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study was conducted with 220 mother-infant pairs in Uganda's Mukono district.
  • Maternal aflatoxin exposure was quantified by measuring serum AFB1-lysine (AFB-Lys) adduct concentrations during mid-gestation using high-performance liquid chromatography.
  • Birth outcomes and infant anthropometry were recorded within 48 hours of delivery, and associations were analyzed using multivariable linear regression.

Main Results:

  • The median maternal AFB-Lys level was 5.83 pg/mg albumin.
  • Elevated maternal AFB-Lys levels were significantly associated with lower infant birth weight (adj-β: -0.07; p=0.040) and lower weight-for-age z-scores (adj-β: -0.16; p=0.037).
  • Maternal aflatoxin exposure was also linked to smaller infant head circumference (adj-β: -0.26; p=0.035) and lower head circumference-for-age z-scores (adj-β: -0.23; p=0.023).

Conclusions:

  • Maternal aflatoxin exposure during pregnancy is associated with adverse birth outcomes, including lower birth weight and reduced head circumference in newborns.
  • These findings highlight the potential public health impact of aflatoxin contamination on fetal development.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these associations and explore intervention strategies.

Keywords:
aflatoxinaflatoxin B1-lysine adductbirth weighthead circumferencematernal exposurepregnancy outcome

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