Exposure assessment of children to dietary mycotoxins: A pilot study conducted in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.

Exposure to mycotoxins through food is a major health concern, especially for youngsters. This study performed a preliminary investigation on children's exposure to dietary mycotoxins in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Sampling procedures were conducted between August and December 2022, to collect foods (N = 213) available for consumption in the households of children (N = 67), including preschoolers (aged 3-6 years, n = 21), schoolers (aged 7-10 years, n = 15), and adolescents (aged 11-17 years, n = 31) cared in the Vila Lobato Community Social Medical Center of Ribeirão Preto. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to determine concentrations of the mycotoxins in foods. Mycotoxins measured in all foods comprised aflatoxins (AFs), fumonisins (FBs), zearalenone (ZEN), T-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA). Higher incidence and levels were found for FBs, ZEN, and DON in several commonly consumed foods. Furthermore, 32.86 % foods had two to four quantifiable mycotoxins in various combinations. The mean estimated daily intake (EDI) values were lower than the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for AFs, FBs, and ZEN, but higher than the TDI (1.0 µg/kg bw/day) for DON, hence indicating a health risk for all children age groups. Preschoolers and adolescents were exposed to DON through wheat products (EDIs: 2.696 ± 7.372 and 1.484 ± 2.395 µg/kg body weight (bw)/day, respectively), while schoolers were exposed through wheat products (EDI: 1.595 ± 1.748 µg/kg bw/day) and rice (EDI: 1.391 ± 1.876 µg/kg bw/day). The results indicate that wheat-based foods and rice may be risky to children, implying the need for stringent measures to avoid DON contamination in these products.

La falacia de los niños gordos anémicos / The fallacy of the fat anemic child

Fundamento: los estudios sugieren la presencia de deficiencia de hierro en niños obesos, lo que conduciría a una mayor incidencia de anemia en este grupo. Objetivo: evaluar la prevalencia de anemia entre niños con sobrepeso y obesidad de dos niveles socioeconómicos y dos regiones diferentes en Brasil. Métodos: se obtuvieron datos de hemoglobina y antropometría de 598 niños y adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad de dos servicios especializados en la atención de estos niños. Resultados: la prevalencia global de anemia fue del 5,8% y el nivel medio de hemoglobina fue de 13,2 mg / dL, sin diferencia estadística para los dos indicadores según sobrepeso u obesidad y grupo de edad. Sin embargo, la hemoglobina media fue mayor entre los varones y, en el servicio con atención prestada a una población de menor nivel socioeconómico, la prevalencia de anemia fue mayor. Conclusión: la prevalencia de anemia encontrada en niños y adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad fue bastante baja, siendo mayor en la población más pobre. Para los niños y adolescentes con sobrepeso, la anemia parece estar más relacionada con el nivel socioeconómico que con la presencia de exceso de peso.

Background: studies suggest the presence of iron deficiency among obese children, which would lead to a higher incidence of anemia in this group. Aim: to assess the prevalence of anemia among overweight and obese children from two socioeconomic levels and two different regions in Brazil. Methods: hemoglobin and anthropometric data on 598 overweight and obese children and adolescents were obtained from two services specialized in the care of these children. Results: the overall prevalence of anemia was 5.8% and mean hemoglobin level was 13.2 mg/dL, with no statistical difference for the two indicators according to overweight or obesity and age group. However, the mean hemoglobin was higher among boys and, in the service with care provided to a population of lower socioeconomic status, the prevalence of anemia was higher. Conclusion: the prevalence of anemia found among overweight and obese children and adolescents was quite low, being higher in the poorest population. For overweight children and adolescents, anemia seems to be more related to socioeconomic status than to the presence of excess weight.