earlyMYCO: A Pilot Mother-Child Cohort Study to Assess Early-Life Exposure to Mycotoxins-Challenges and Lessons Learned.

Early-life exposure occurs during gestation through transfer to the fetus and later, during lactation. Recent monitoring data revealed that the Portuguese population is exposed to mycotoxins, including young children. This study aimed to develop a pilot study to assess the early-life exposure to mycotoxins through a mother-child cohort, and to identify the associated challenges. Participants were recruited during pregnancy (1st trimester) and followed-up in three moments of observation: 2nd trimester of pregnancy (mother), and 1st and 6th month of the child's life (mother and child), with the collection of biological samples and sociodemographic and food consumption data. The earlyMYCO pilot study enrolled 19 mother-child pairs. The analysis of biological samples from participants revealed the presence of 4 out of 15 and 5 out of 18 mycotoxins' biomarkers of exposure in urine and breast milk samples, respectively. The main aspects identified as contributors for the successful development of the cohort were the multidisciplinary and dedicated team members in healthcare units, reduced burden of participation, and the availability of healthcare units for the implementation of the fieldwork. Challenges faced, lessons learned, and suggestions were discussed as a contribution for the development of further studies in this area.

Do fenômeno psicossomático ao romance familiar / From a psychosomatic phenomenon to a family romance

Toma-se como referência o caso de uma criança com diagnóstico de vitiligo e que se recusa a usar a medicação prescrita pelo dermatologista. O ponto de virada da análise é localizado em um desenho no qual a criança se representa com uma cor diferente dos demais membros da família. Em entrevista, a mãe fala de uma questão que lhe é fundamental: a cor de sua pele está associada ao enigma de sua filiação materna. De um lado, pode-se inscrever o que nesse caso se apresenta como sintoma no campo dos fenômenos psicossomáticos; de outro, ele revela a singularidade de sua lógica, permitindo-nos verificar o que está em jogo: um ponto de suspensão na fantasia materna que faz com que esta criança seja apreendida aí.