1 - Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
- International Conference of Food Contaminants ICFC 2021, Lisboa, 09-10-2021
The first 1000 days of life, the period between the conception and 24 months’ postnatal age, is highly vulnerable to adverse environmental effects. Mycotoxins present in food and environment may affect health of the fetus and small child with long-standing effects.
Maternal exposure to fumonisins and aflatoxins may increase the risks of fetal death, neural tube defects, and fetal growth restriction. Additionally, the specific prenatal exposure to aflatoxin was reported to be associated with postnatal growth restriction and neonatal jaundice.
Exposure of small children to fumonisins and aflatoxins has been associated with reduction in body weight and length.
As available studies in humans are observational, it is difficult to establish a causal relationship between mycotoxins exposure and clinical manifestations of mycotoxicosis in children, which are nonspecific. In addition, in many studies possible confounders were not controlled. This topic is an excellent opportunity for further research with impact on public health.
Palavras Chave: aflatoxin, child health, fetal health, fumonisin, mycotoxin exposure