Aflatoxin as a Cause of Stunting at Birth

John Groopman of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the U.S. will test the hypothesis that exposure during pregnancy to aflatoxin, a toxin produced by mold that widely contaminates staple grains and nuts in hot, humid environments, can lead to stunted fetal growth. Groopman will assess levels of biomarkers related to aflatoxin exposure in serum samples and compare them to maternal and infant data to determine if aflatoxin contributes to smaller birth size.