Geophagy during pregnancy: Is there a health risk for infants?

Gundacker, Claudia; Kutalek, Ruth; Glaunach, Rosina; Deweis, Coloman; Hengstschläger, Markus; Prinz, Armin

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2017.03.028

Cited by 31 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Findings from this study echo results from elsewhere which suggest that clay ingestion during pregnancy among black African women is widespread among African societies (Kutalek et al, 2010;Frazzoli et al, 2016;Gundacker et al, 2017). In this study and literature (Njiru et al, 2011;Nyanza et al, 2014), the association between pregnancy and clay ingestion was perceived as normal, with the latter often viewed as the first sign of pregnancy.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Within the post-colonial era, biomedical preconceptions continue to shape the geophagy discourse, with the medical gaze emphasizing the disease aspect. As already highlighted, ingested clay is analyzed for the presence of metals such as lead and arsenic, with potential health implications spelt out (Kutalek et al, 2010;Gundacker et al, 2017). On one hand, holistic anthropological perspectives consider clay ingestion as a mineral supplementation in some instances (Frazzoli et al, 2016) and a remedy for appetite challenges along with nausea, morning sickness and salivation during pregnancy.…”

Section: Historical Perspectives On Geophagy: the Medical Gaze And Comentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On its website, the agency currently advises pregnant and breast feeding women not to ingest clay, while adding that it is "sometimes" consumed by African and Asian communities because it may contain highly toxic chemicals (Food Standards Agency., 2018). This is not without good reason; extensive scientific evidence suggests that persistent exposure to high levels of lead and arsenic found in the product, during pregnancy can lead to negative health outcomes for the baby such as low birth weight, impaired intrauterine growth, impaired neurodevelopment and intestinal blockages (Al-Rmalli et al, 2010;Reeuwijk et al, 2013;Nyanza et al, 2014;Frazzoli et al, 2016;Gundacker et al, 2017). Among African and Asian communities in the UK, calabash chalk is also known as Argile, Mabele, Nzu, Shiley, La Craie, Calabash clay, Pembe, and Kichungu (Public Health England., 2013;Nyanza et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In African contexts, ingested clay is taken from anthills, termite mounds on tree trunks, walls of traditional houses and dug out from rural mines and dry river basins (Reeuwijk et al, 2013;Hunter-Adams, 2016;Gundacker et al, 2017). In countries, such as Ghana and Nigeria, the mining of clay for ingestion in large volumes for sale at markets is a source of livelihood sustenance for many communities (Frazzoli et al, 2016) with cycles of cleaning, baking, shaping and cooking (Henry and Cring, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Clay Ingestion During Pregnancy Among Black African Women in a North London Borough: Understanding Cultural Meanings, Integrating Indigenous and Biomedical Knowledge Systems

Madziva

Chinouya

2020

Front. Sociol.

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Findings from this qualitative audit conducted in a North London Borough among Black African women show that clay ingestion during pregnancy is a cultural phenomenon embedded in indigenous knowledge (IK). Reasons for clay ingestion include curbing morning sickness, nausea, satisfying cravings, "mineral deficiency" and other life sustaining beliefs. However, Public Health practitioners' top down approach and response which considers the practice as "dangerous" and potentially harmful to the health of the woman and unborn child with midwives and General Practitioner doctors called upon to discourage it, risks alienating the target population. Furthermore, within such a top down framework, opportunities to integrate biomedical science and indigenous knowledge systems are potentially missed. The use of culturally sensitive Public health interventions which consider a community approach, while attempting to integrate these two knowledge systems through further research is likely to bear more fruits.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Historical Perspectives On Geophagy: the Medical Gaze And Comentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Clay Ingestion During Pregnancy Among Black African Women in a North London Borough: Understanding Cultural Meanings, Integrating Indigenous and Biomedical Knowledge Systems

Madziva

Chinouya

2020

Front. Sociol.

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show abstract

“…This comment initiated a discussion of the negative impact on appetite of strong odors and flavors during pregnancy. There was also a discussion in one group about the practice of eating dirt or clay, a practice that is common in some cultures [24][25][26]. The participants acknowledged that this practice was discouraged by healthcare workers.…”

Section: Smellmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthy pregnancies and essential fats: focus group discussions with Zambian women on dietary need and acceptability of a novel RUSF containing fish oil DHA

Chunda‐Liyoka

Lubeya

Imakando

et al. 2020

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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Background: Nut butter-based Ready to Use Supplemental Foods (RUSF) are an effective way to add nutrients and calories to diets of malnourished and food insecure populations. The RUSF formulations have been further modified to add micronutrients including iron and folic acid needed during pregnancy and lactation. Because docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3) enhances fetal development and birth outcomes, it has been suggested that perhaps RUSF formulations for pregnancy should also include this Omega 3 fatty acid. The goal of the present study was to gain an understanding of Zambian women's knowledge of nutritional needs in pregnancy through structured focus group discussions, and to formulate and determine the acceptability of a RUSF with DHA. Methods: Structured focus group sessions were conducted among women attending an antenatal clinic at the University Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia. Dietary and nutrition knowledge was surveyed through structured dialogue that was recorded by audio and transcribed verbatim. An RUSF containing 400 mg DHA from fish oil in 50 g RUSF was designed and assessed for fatty acid content and product stability. Participants then sampled the RUSF-DHA, provided feedback on taste, and were surveyed about willingness to consume the novel formula using a standardized hedonic instrument. Results: The participants' knowledge of foods recommended for use in pregnancy included fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish. Most women reported eating fish at least once per week, although the specific type of fish varied. Most did not have prior knowledge of the importance of consuming fish during pregnancy or that some fish types were more nutritional than others as they included omega 3 fatty acids. The participants were uniformly accepting of the RUSF-DHA for the purpose of enhancing birth and developmental outcomes, but were critical of the aroma in hedonic testing. Conclusions: Women were committed to consuming a healthy diet that would impact the outcome of pregnancy, and were receptive to advice on the importance of consuming foods such as fish as a source of DHA. The RUSF-DHA formulation was acceptable due to the potential benefits for the developing infant, however, the fishy odor may be limiting for long-term daily use.

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Agnathia otocephaly: A case from the Katanga Copperbelt

Kayembe‐Kitenge

Kadiamba

Luca

et al. 2020

Birth Defects Research

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Background: Agnathia otocephaly is a rare craniofacial malformation complex characterised by absent/hypoplastic mandible, abnormally positioned ears meeting at level of neck. Besides mutations in two genes, PRRX1 and OTX2, a teratogenic cause has been suggested. A higher risk of congenital malformations has been associated with paternal work in mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's part of the Copperbelt. Case: We studied a female neonate with a clinical diagnosis of agnathia otocephaly, stillborn in Lubumbashi in 2019. The child's father had been working as an artisanal mineworker at the time of conception. Results: Genetic analysis did not reveal a causal mutation. The concentrations of cobalt, arsenic cadmium, and uranium in cord blood of the infant were much higher than those of normal neonates from a previous study. Conclusion: In the absence of identified genetic causes, we hypothesize this case of agnathia otocephaly was related to an exogenous cause, possibly the father's mining-related job.

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Geophagy during pregnancy: Is there a health risk for infants?

Cited by 31 publications

References 14 publications

Clay Ingestion During Pregnancy Among Black African Women in a North London Borough: Understanding Cultural Meanings, Integrating Indigenous and Biomedical Knowledge Systems

Clay Ingestion During Pregnancy Among Black African Women in a North London Borough: Understanding Cultural Meanings, Integrating Indigenous and Biomedical Knowledge Systems

Healthy pregnancies and essential fats: focus group discussions with Zambian women on dietary need and acceptability of a novel RUSF containing fish oil DHA

Agnathia otocephaly: A case from the Katanga Copperbelt

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