Assessment of serum aflatoxin B levels in neonatal jaundice with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: a preliminary study.

Aflatoxin (AF) contamination of food products is still a major health issue globally. Prior studies suggest that exposure to AFs during pregnancy has harmful fetal outcomes. This preliminary study was designed to assess serum AFB levels in neonatal jaundice (NNJ) secondary to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Twenty-four full-term neonates with hemolytic jaundice secondary to G6PD deficiency were enrolled in the study. Erythrocyte G6PD status was assessed colorimetrically, and serum aflatoxin B (AFB) concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results revealed that AFB was detected in 58% (14/24) of the studied newborns while detected in 75% (18/24) of their mothers. AFB positive cases had a highly significantly lower birthweight and G6PD activity (P = 0.001, each). Birthweight (r = - 0.574, P = 0.032) and G6PD activity (r = - 0.585, P = 0.028) negatively correlated with serum AFB levels while serum alanine aminotransferase activity positively correlated with serum AFB levels (r = 0.536, P = 0.048). Maternal AFB exposure is associated with adverse birth outcomes as verified by the low birthweight and the evident decline in the activity of G6PD enzyme with the resultant hemolytic NNJ.