A Study Of Aflatoxins And Kwashiorkor In Benha:

Samy M.ezzat

Aflatoxins are common environmental hazards in all the under developedcountries of the tropics where they commonly contaminate food. They are toxic to most species of animals and are among the most powerful carcinogenic agents known the liver is the principal target for toxicity.Metabolic derangements caused by aflatoxlns include depression of proteinand enzyme synthesis, disorder of lipid metabolism and immunological suppression. The aetiology and pathogenesis of kwashiorkor remains some what obscure. Similarities in the geographical and climatic prevalence of kwashiorkor and aflatoxins and similarities in the metabolic derangements caused by aflatoxlns andthose observed in kwashiorkor. (Hendrickse - 1984). The aim of this work was to measure level of aflatoxins and their metabolites in blood and urine of 30 children admitted to Benha University Hospital 20 of whom were suffering from kwashiorkor and 10 well nourished children (control) [bodyweight of over 80% of the Boston 50th centile] admitted for minor intercurrentillness.