Assessment of aflatoxins exposure through urinary biomarker approach and the evaluation of the impacts of aflatoxins exposure on the selected health parameters of the children of Multan city of Pakistan

Aflatoxins are the secondary metabolites of a limited number of fungal species. Aflatoxins are classified as group one category carcinogenic compounds and are also reported to retard the growth, especially in children. Food commodities especially from the developing countries are often reported to have aflatoxins levels well beyond the maximum permissible limits. In the present study, aflatoxins exposure was investigated in the children belonging to different socioeconomic classes from Multan city of Pakistan. Aflatoxins urinary biomarker approach via enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) method was adopted for the assessment of aflatoxins exposure. Anthropometric measurements, complete blood count test and liver function tests of same children groups were also performed. A correlation test was applied between the aflatoxin in urine and other analyzed parameters. Aflatoxins were recorded positive in 11% urine samples; poor health status of the children was also recorded. Presence of aflatoxins in the urine samples and the poor health status of children corroborate the needs for surveillance of aflatoxin contamination of baby foods and development of interventions focusing mainly on raising awareness in the matters particularly related to food safety.