title: Exposure of Infants to Aflatoxin M1 from Mother's Breast Milk in Ilam, Western Iran.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aflatoxins as a highly toxic group of mycotoxins are present in the environment and foodstuff. These have been reported to cause serious health problems in humans. Since aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is excreted into breast milk, investigating the exposure of infants to AFM1 is of special concern.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, breast milk samples were collected from 85 lactating mothers in Ilam province, Iran, and the levels of AFM1 were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based technique. AFM1 was detected in breast milk of all lactating women. The mean contamination level was 5.91 ± 2.031 ng/L, ranging from 2 ng/L to 10 ng/L.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multiple regression analysis indicated no significant associations of consumption of milk and dairy products, meat, fish, legumes, grain products, fruits, and nuts with the concentration of AFM1 in breast milk. Furthermore, no significant association was observed between AFM1 concentration and anthropometric data of infants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In western parts of Iran, lactating mothers and their infants could be at risk of aflatoxin B1 and AFM1 exposure, respectively. Therefore, in Iran, the evaluation of AFM1 in human breast milk as a biomarker for postnatal exposure of infants to this carcinogen requires more attention in different regions and various seasons.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
authors.forename: Farajollah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maleki
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
authors.forename: Soghra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
authors.forename: Elaham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Davodian
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
authors.forename: Karimeh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haghani
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
authors.forename: Salar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bakhtiyari
keywords: Ilam; aflatoxin M1; aflatoxins; breast milk; infants