Prenatal Fluoride intake reducing IQ level

chanakyakripa

Higher maternal urinary fluoride and self-reported intake during pregnancy were associated with lower IQ in children aged 3 to 4 years.

Community-wide fluoridation of drinking water is a longstanding strategy to reduce dental caries. Studies suggest that fluoride exposure during brain development might negatively affect neurocognitive outcomes in children.

Researchers evaluated data from 512 mother-child pairs recruited for a birth cohort study between 2008 and 2011 in six Canadian cities. They measured fluoride exposure during pregnancy (via both maternal urinary fluoride [MUF] concentration and self-reported beverage intake) and children's IQ scores at age 3 to 4 years. Analyses included multiple covariates, such as maternal education, household income, parity, and exposure to other chemicals, as well as child gestational age, birth weight, and sex.

In adjusted analyses, an increase of 1 mg/L in MUF was associated with a 4.5-point decrease in full-scale IQ (FSIQ) in boys but was not associated with FSIQ in girls. The same pattern was observed for children's performance IQ, whereas no association was found for verbal IQ. For each 1-mg increase in self-reported maternal fluoride intake during pregnancy, there was a 3.7-point decrease in FSIQ for boys and girls.

                     

Comment These data add to the controversy around community-level fluoridation of drinking water. As noted in an accompanying editorial and an editor's statement, one epidemiologic study is not enough to decide a debate. But methodologies are improving in this area, making these findings potentially concerning, particularly at the population level. Clinicians should be prepared to discuss the possible positive and negative effects of fluoride exposure, since parents may ask whether they should avoid giving fluoridated water to their young children or drinking it during pregnancy. Because prenatal fluoride is not believed to benefit the fetus, it is reasonable to recommend that women reduce fluoride intake during pregnancy. Source: paediatrics & adolescent medicines, august 2019.