Micronutrient deficiencies and aflatoxin exposure remain high among children under five in developing countries. However, few studies have assessed the association between these factors in East Africa, particularly in agro-pastoralist societies where maize and animal foods (highly susceptible to aflatoxin contamination) are staple foods. This study found that more than two-thirds of participants were exposed to aflatoxin contamination and were deficient in zinc and vitamin B12. Children with high levels of AF-alb adducts were 40% more likely to be iron deficient than those without. Efforts should focus on improving micronutrient status and enhancing food safety by incorporating aflatoxin mitigation strategies in micronutrient interventions.
ABSTRACT
Micronutrient deficiencies are a significant public health problem, particularly affecting children under five, caused by inadequate intake of micronutrient-rich foods or environmental factors like aflatoxin exposure. Three hundred sixty-nine children aged 6–24 months from Tanzania’s Babati and Hanang districts participated in this study. Serum aflatoxin albumin adduct (AF-alb) levels were assessed as measures of aflatoxin exposure. Haemoglobin levels, serum ferritin, C-reactive protein, zinc and vitamins A, B9, and B12 were assessed to determine anaemia and deficiencies in iron, zinc and vitamins A, B9 and B12 based on WHO cut-off points. Seventy per cent of the children had detectable levels of AF-alb. The AF-alb geometric mean was 5.99 (95% CI: 5.99, 6.87) pg/mg. Of those with measured micronutrient markers, 37% were anaemic, and 33%, 75%, 4%, 4% and 73% were deficient in iron, zinc, vitamins A, B9 and B12, respectively. The child’s age, gender and stunting were all significantly associated (p < 0.05) with anaemia and deficiencies in zinc, vitamin A and B12. Moreover, AF-alb was associated with iron deficiency even after adjusting for confounders; children with high AF-alb levels ( > 6.07 pg/mg) were 1.40 times more likely to be iron deficient (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.74). The high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies and its association with aflatoxin exposure among young children highlights the urgent need for comprehensive intervention strategies, such as improving dietary diversity and enhancing food safety to reduce aflatoxin exposure. Importantly, longitudinal research is needed to understand the causal effect relationship between aflatoxin exposure and micronutrient deficiencies.
Maternal &Child Nutrition, EarlyView. Read More