Determination of aflatoxin M1 in breast milk and related factors

OBJECTIVE: Breastfeeding in women with aflatoxin M1 exposure may be a risk factor for the newborn. Thus, it is crucial to determine aflatoxin M1 levels in breast milk and raise mothers’ awareness about nutrition in lactation and other periods. This study was carried out to determine aflatoxin M1 contamination in milk samples taken from mothers who gave birth. METHODS: The study was carried out in the postpartum department of Training and Research Hospital between December 31, 2018, and June 31, 2019, and 90 breastfeeding mothers were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 75 (83.3%) of the examined samples were found positive. The mean aflatoxin M1 ratio in positive samples was 12.16 pg/mL (5.00–23.18 pg/mL). Mothers’ consumption of processed food was associated with aflatoxin M1 levels (p=0.043). It was determined that the aflatoxin M1 levels of mothers who consumed processed food products 1 or 2 times a month were 3.22 times lower than those who consumed 1–2 times a week. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasized the importance of monitoring aflatoxin M1 levels in breast milk for infant health. It is thought that nutrition education given to mothers during pregnancy will significantly impact aflatoxin M1 results. In addition, the dangers of mycotoxins in mother-infant nutrition should be emphasized regularly in health education.