Relationship between serum aflatoxin concentrations and the nutritional status of children aged 6–24 months from Zambia

Abstract

In Zambia, mothers/caregivers feed their children cereal-based complementary foods that are prone to aflatoxin contamination. This study evaluated the relationship between exposure to aflatoxins and the nutritional status of young children. It covered 400 mothers with children aged 6-24 months. Their nutritional status assessed by measuring weight and height using standard procedures. Serum samples analysed for aflatoxin B1-lysine (AFB1-lys), a reliable biomarker of aflatoxin exposure. Child sickness and age, exposure to aflatoxin in foods, and albumin-normalised AFB1-lys level were found to be significantly (p < .05) associated with child stunting except for child age that was not significant at p ¼ .05. Children with an increase in the blood serum aflatoxin B1 lysine adduct are more likely to be stunted. These results have shown that dietary exposure to aflatoxin could lead to an increase in serum aflatoxin concentrations, both of which are associated with stunting.

Risk assessment of dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1 in Serbia

“…However, there are many gaps in the knowledge of doses, mechanisms, and outcomes of exposure to aflatoxins in pregnant women (Benkerroum, 2020). Elevated levels of AFs adduct are commonly noticed in malnourished and stunted children (Alamu et al, 2020;Coulter et al, 1986). Based on the exposure levels found in this study, risk related to the occurrence of these effects in Serbian population is most likely low.…”

Determinants of knowledge about aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination in sorghum and postharvest practices among caregivers of children aged 6–59 months in Kerio Valley, Kenya

“…One FGD was conducted from each ward among mothers/caregivers of children 6–23 months of age to understand how they handled sorghum and if mycotoxin contamination was of concern when handling children's food. Children aged 6–23 months are nutritionally vulnerable and the introduction of complementary foods that are contaminated with mycotoxins could further impair their growth and development (Alamu et al., 2020 ). Therefore, it was of importance to have a focus group discussion with the mothers/caregivers of children 6–23 months of age.…”

An overview of mycotoxins, their pathogenic effects, foods where they are found and their diagnostic biomarkers

“…In some countries, mainly in Africa and Asia, children become fed almost exclusively with potentially contaminated grain, and after being weaned, this is due to the economic condition. It was shown that the increase in serum concentration of aflatoxin in these children is also related to dwarfism (Alamu et al, 2020).…”