Mycotoxins in breast milk and its health hazards on breast fed infants in Sharkia, Egypt

In recent years, International Health Officials issued several warnings about the contamination of food with moulds and mycotoxins, as an emerging important health and economic problem. Mycotoxins are naturally occurring secondary metabolites of moulds that may be present in food products. Mycotoxicosis occur more frequently in developing countries, with hot and humid climate, favorable for the growth of moulds. The contamination of human breast milk with mycotoxins has been a matter of considerable concern. However, despite the recognition of the potential risk to humans, there are very few data in the literature regarding prevalence and impact of these toxic substances on infant health. The objective of this study was to identify if serum and breast milk of lactating mothers, are contaminated with mycotoxins [Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin], in Sharkia Governorate, and to study the effect of these toxins on kidney and liver functions of their exclusively breast fed infants. The results shows high total contamination rate of mothers' sera samples [82%], with aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and both, accounting for 10%, 34% and 38%, respectively. Breast milk samples were also highly contaminated [82%] with aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and both, in rates of 10%, 32% and 40%, respectively. Meanwhile, infants' sera accounted for 80% contamination rate with 10%, 32%, and 38%, respectively. Significant positive correlation between mothers' milk aflatoxin and ochratoxin on one side and that in infants' and mothers' sera on the other side was observed. Meanwhile, a significant negative correlation between infants' serum aflatoxin and infants' length/ age was reported. As markers of kidney function in study infants, both urinary microalbumin and beta 2 - microglobulin were significantly higher in infants positive for ochratoxin or ochratoxin and aflatoxin, than in those negative for this mycotoxin. In conclusion, subjects of Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, including the sample population of lactating mothers, are exposed to contamination by mycotoxins; lactating infants of mothers contaminated with mycotoxins, who were exposed to these mycotoxins prenatally, continue to be exposed, postnatally via breast milk. Finally, that mycotoxins may have adverse effects on the growth of infants, with the length/age as the most sensitive anthropometric measurement and that ochratoxin possibly have a nephrotoxic effect, in contaminated lactating infants. A wider scale study that includes different governorates is needed to facilitate the design and plan for a prevention and control program

Antioxidant status in minimal change nephrotic syndrome

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome [MCNS] accounts for about 75% of causes of NS in children. A still growing body of evidence has accumulated indicating that a disturbance of balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant defence mechanisms plays a major role in the pathomechanism of glomerular diseases. This study was carried out to evaluate the role of oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in the pathogenesis of MCNS. The serum levels of some antioxidants [alpha -tocopherol, superoxide dismutase "SOD", selenium, zinc and copper] were estimated in 50 children, of ages ranging from 2 to 12 years, diagnosed as MCNS, and compared with that of 20 healthy age and sex- matched control children. Oxidant stress was evaluated as well in all subjected by estimating levels of serum and urinary malondialdhyde [MDA]. Levels of antioxidants, but vitamin E were significantly decreased in children suffering MCNS compared to control children. Meanwhile oxidative stress, measured by serum and urinary MDA was significantly increased in patients group. In addition, a significant positive correlation between SOD and both copper and zinc was reported. It was concluded that an oxidative stress, in. the face of defective antioxidant defence, does exist and may play a role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. So it is recommended that nutritional antioxidants, especially vitamin E, selenium, zinc, and copper should be added in the diet of children and all risky groups

Bed utilization pattern in the neonatology unit of zagazig University Hospitals in the year 1999

The objective of this study was to assess case mix and its effects on the average length of hospital stay, average bed turnover and their outcome over the year 1999. Among 1169 admitted cases, there were significant relationship between the cause of admission and sex, mean age at admission, birth order, place of admission and outcome. On other h and, the outcome of the admitted cases was not affected by the mode of delivery and sex but affected by the weight of infant at admission. Hyperbilirubinemia was the most common cause of admission [29.43%] with the best outcome [89.83% improved] and the lowest average length of stay [4.7 days], while preterms constituted a third cause of admission [20.19%] with the worst outcome [62.71% dead] and the highest average length of stay [12.5 days]. The average length of stay for beds and incubators were 5.6 and 10.7 days respectively, and the bed occupancy rate for beds and incubators were 94.84% and 90.48% respectively. The average bed turnover for beds and incubators were 61.33 and 30.92 turn/year respectively. It is concluded that preventive aspects are important in order to decrease the neonatal morbidity and mortality