Investigating how early exposure to aflatoxin B1 affects newborns' health in Nigeria
Official title: Early life aflatoxin B1 exposure and epigenetic programming in Nigerian Newborns
Funded at Covenant University · NIH-10875500 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Covenant University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ota, NIGERIA) |
| Project start | September 21, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $92,085 |
| NIH project number | 5K43TW011942-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10875500 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women in their first trimester living in Nigeria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not reside in Nigeria may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Covenant University
Ota, Nigeria Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rotimi, Oluwakemi Anuoluwapo — Covenant University
- Study coordinator: Rotimi, Oluwakemi Anuoluwapo
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.