Urinary Aflatoxin M1 Concentrations among Pregnant Women in Bishoftu, Ethiopia

Abstract

Aflatoxins are fungal metabolites that can infect food grains in both developed and developing countries. In Ethiopia aflatoxin has been detected in several staple cereals at concentrations ranging from a trace to 26 μg/kg. However, aflatoxin exposures in the population in general and in pregnant women in particular have not been studied. Exposure to aflatoxin during pregnancy may impair fetal growth and development and result in long term health risks to both mothers and infants. The objective of this study was to quantify aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), a metabolic byproduct of the potent carcinogen aflatoxin B1, in urine from pregnant women. Study participants were 349 pregnant women selected by two‐stage cluster sampling from rural areas in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, in September and October, 2014. AFM1 concentrations in urine were determined as short‐term exposure indicators using ELISA kits. Urinary creatinine concentrations were determined with a clinical analyzer. Detectable urinary AFM1 was found in 72.5% (253) of women. Samples with detectable AFM1 ranged from 4.8 to 4331 pg AFM1/mg creatinine. The median (IQR) AFM1 concentrations in exposed pregnant women were 199.8 (69.5, 406.6) pg/mg creatinine. This high aflatoxin exposure emphasizes the necessity for intervention strategies to decrease aflatoxin in the food supply and to reduce exposure during pregnancy. Further investigation is required to assess specific sources of long‐term aflatoxin exposure as well as aflatoxin associations with birth outcomes.Support or Funding InformationSupported by Oklahoma State University.