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

Carla Martins, Ricardo Assunção, Ana Costa, Débora Serrano, Lia Visintin, Marthe De Boevre, Carl Lachat, Arnau Vidal, Sarah De Saeger, Sónia Namorado, Cristina Vidigal, Elisabete Almeida, Paula Alvito and Carla Nunes
Additional contact information
Carla Martins: National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
Ricardo Assunção: National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
Ana Costa: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Débora Serrano: Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Lia Visintin: Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Marthe De Boevre: Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Carl Lachat: Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Arnau Vidal: Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Sarah De Saeger: Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Sónia Namorado: National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
Cristina Vidigal: ACES Lisboa Central, Regional Health Administration of Lisbon and Tagus Valley (ARSLVT), 1700-179 Lisbon, Portugal
Elisabete Almeida: ACES Lisboa Central, Regional Health Administration of Lisbon and Tagus Valley (ARSLVT), 1700-179 Lisbon, Portugal
Paula Alvito: National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
Carla Nunes: Public Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: early-life exposure; birth cohorts; mycotoxins; exposome; Portugal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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