Investigating how early exposure to aflatoxin B1 affects newborns' health in Nigeria

Early life aflatoxin B1 exposure and epigenetic programming in Nigerian Newborns

NIH-funded research Covenant University · NIH-10875500

This study is looking at how a harmful substance called aflatoxin B1, which some pregnant women in Nigeria might be exposed to, could affect their babies' DNA and possibly increase their risk of cancer as they grow up.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCovenant University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ota, NIGERIA)
Project IDNIH-10875500 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a toxic compound, on newborns in Nigeria. It aims to explore how exposure to AFB1 during pregnancy can lead to changes in DNA that may increase the risk of cancer later in life. By recruiting pregnant women from both rural and urban hospitals, the study will analyze blood samples to measure AFB1 levels and assess its impact on the genetic makeup of their newborns. The goal is to establish a connection between AFB1 exposure and potential health risks for children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women in their first trimester living in Nigeria.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not reside in Nigeria may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for cancer in children exposed to aflatoxins.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in animal models have shown that early exposure to aflatoxins can lead to significant genetic changes, suggesting potential for similar findings in humans.

Where this research is happening

Ota, NIGERIA

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.