Aflatoxins in the livers of children with kwashiorkor.

Autopsy liver specimens from Nigeria and South Africa obtained from three kwashiorkors, three marasmic-kwashiorkors and one marasmic child were analysed for the presence of aflatoxins using both high performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Significant levels of aflatoxin B1 were found in the livers of the three kwashiorkor children. Aflatoxicol was detected in the liver of one marasmic-kwashiorkor and a small quantity of aflatoxin M1 in the liver of another. No aflatoxins were found in the livers of the third marasmic-kwashiorkor or the marasmic child. These findings extend recent clinical observations that indicate an association between aflatoxins and kwashiorkor.