DETECTION OF NAPHTHOLS AND AFLATOXINS IN NIGERIAN CORD-BLOOD

Widespread use of naphthol-containing compounds and frequent contamina tion of foods by aflatoxins occurs in Nigeria. Naphthols cause haemoly sis and aflatoxins are hepatotoxic. A study was carried out to determi ne the extent of fetal exposure to these compounds and their influence on birthweight. Cord blood samples were collected at delivery from 62 5 babies and their sera were analysed for aflatoxins and naphthols. Mo thers' histories and babies' weights were recorded. Naphthols were det ected in 6.9% and aflatoxins in 14.6% of serum samples. No correlation was found between the presence of either compound and birthweight. Re ported exposure to naphthalene-containing compounds was not related to detection of serum naphthol. Results show considerable fetal exposure to these potentially toxic compounds in Ibadan, Nigeria.