Mycotoxin Deoxynivalenol exposure during pregnancy Linked to Fetal Growth Retardation

In a recent study published in BMC Medicine uncovered concerning evidence regarding the impact of Deoxynivalenol (DON), a commonly occurring mycotoxin, on fetal development during pregnancy. While previous research had established DON's detrimental effects on animals, limited knowledge existed about how it might affect pregnant women and their unborn children.

The study, conducted using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, assessed maternal urinary concentrations of total DON (tDON) and free DON (fDON) during the second trimester. Researchers also calculated the provisional daily intake (PDI) of DON based on the tDON concentration. Subsequently, linear and logistic regression models were employed to investigate the association between DON exposure levels and birth weight, birth length, and the risk of small for gestational age (SGA).

Among the 1538 subjects studied, the results were significant. Median concentrations of tDON and fDON were found to be 12.1 ng/mL and 5.1 ng/mL, respectively. The calculated median DON intake was 0.7 µg/kg body weight, with a staggering 35.9% of the population surpassing the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of 1 µg/kg body weight.

Comparing the lowest tertile to the highest tertile of DON exposure, birth weight decreased by 81.11 g for tDON and 63.02 g for fDON. These findings underscored a clear trend of decreasing birth weight with increasing DON exposure levels. Additionally, every unit increase in the natural logarithm of tDON and fDON showed an inverse relationship with birth weight.

Perhaps the most alarming revelation was that pregnant women exceeding the PMTDI of DON had babies with lower birth weights and lengths. Specifically, the study indicated a decrease in birth weight by 79.79 g, a reduction in birth length by 0.21 cm, and a higher risk of SGA (small for gestational age) in their offspring.

This pattern remained consistent when comparing the highest PDI tertile to the lowest. Such findings carry significant implications for prenatal care and maternal health. They suggest that maternal exposure to DON during pregnancy could lead to fetal growth restrictions.

Reference:

Tan, T., Chen, T., Zhu, W., Gong, L., Yan, Y., Li, Q., Chen, L., Li, Y., Liu, J., Li, Y., Yang, X., Hao, L., Wang, H., Yang, N., & Wei, S. (2023). Adverse associations between maternal deoxynivalenol exposure and birth outcomes: a prospective cohort study in China. In BMC Medicine (Vol. 21, Issue 1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-023-03011-5