Abstract
The annual incidence of preterm birth (PTB) (<37 weeks gestation) in the United States is approximately 10% and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Current literature suggests an association between periodontal disease and PTB. Domestic water fluoridation is thought to have lessened the burden of dental disease. Theoretically, one would expect water fluoridation to be protective against PTB. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship between municipal water fluoridation and PTB. A retrospective, cohort study was conducted using the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System(SPARCS) database. Inclusion criteria were 1) women with live singleton births between 1993 and 2002 (ICD-9-CM); 2) residence in Upstate New York State; 3) residence in a zip code fully contained within a county; and 4) residence in a county where municipal water fluoride content was uniformly therapeutic (>1.0 mg/L) or sub-therapeutic (<1.0 mg/L).
Domestic water fluoridation was associated with an increased risk of PTB (9545 (6.34%) PTB among women exposed to domestic water fluoridation versus 25278 (5.52%) PTB among those unexposed, p < 0.0001)). This relationship was most pronounced among women in the lowest SES groups (>10% poverty) and those of non-white racial origin. Domestic water fluoridation was independently associated with an increased risk of PTB in logistic regression, after controlling for age, race/ethnicity, neighborhood poverty level, hypertension, and diabetes.
Additional studies that assess patient level ingestion of fluoride and other competing factors associated with PTB are required before health policy decisions can be made about the proposed relationship.
About the Authors:
– Rachel Hart, MPH , Division of HIV Health Care, New York State Department of Health AIDS Instititue, Albany, NY
– Jonathan Feelemyer, MS , The Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
– Christina Gray, BS, MS Candidate , Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY
– Thomas Lodise, Pharm D , Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY
– Nimish Patel, Pharm D , Fellow of Infectious Disease, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY
– Susan Wymer, RN, MS candidate , Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY
– Louise-Anne McNutt, PhD , Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY
-
Related Studies :
-
Low birth weight and dental fluorosis: is there an association?
OBJECTIVE: The association between low birth weight and dental fluorosis was explored in a cross-sectional study to explain the higher prevalence of dental fluorosis among African-American children.
METHODS: Birth weight data on 960 children were obtained from the New York State Birth Registry. Data on race, fluoride exposure, sociodemographic characteristics, and
-
Fluoride Exposure and Age of Menarche: Potential Differences Among Adolescent Girls and Women in the United States.
Abstract
Fluoride exposure is associated with later pubertal development and decreased testosterone production in adolescent and adult males. However, its effects on female reproductive health and pubertal development are unclear. Therefore, we examined associations of fluoride exposure with reproductive health outcomes among adolescent girls and women in the United States. Participants
-
Effective interventional approach to control anaemia in pregnant women
Anaemia in pregnancy and low birth weight babies, a serious public health problem, troubles India and several other nations. This article reports the results of a approach to address the issue. Women up to 20 week pregnancy with haemoglobin (Hb) 9.0 g/dl or less, those with urinary fluoride beyond 1.0
-
Vitamin D ameliorates fluoride-induced embryotoxicity in pregnant rats
We have evaluated the ameliorative effect of vitamin D on fluoride-induced embryotoxicity in pregnant rats. Oral administration of sodium fluoride (NaF; 40 mg/kg body weight) from days 6 to 19 of gestation caused, as compared with control, significantly lowered body weight, feed consumption, absolute uterine weight and number of implantations.
-
[Study on antagonistic effects of selenite on fluoride-induced impairments of testis and epididymis in rats].
Objective: To study the mechanisms of the antagonistic action of selenite on fluoride-induced male reproductive damages, and find out the optimal level of selenite in drinking water against fluoride toxicity. Methods: Five groups of SD male rats were provided with deionized drinking water containing 0 and 150 mg/L NaF, and
-
Related FAN Content :
-
Nutrient Deficiencies Enhance Fluoride Toxicity
It has been known since the 1930s that poor nutrition enhances the toxicity of fluoride. As discussed below, nutrient deficiencies have been specifically linked to increased susceptibility to fluoride-induced tooth damage (dental fluorosis), bone damage (osteomalacia), neurotoxicity (reduced intelligence), and mutagenicity. The nutrients of primary importance appear to be calcium,
-
Unheeded Warnings: Government Health Authorities Ignore Fluoride Risk for Kidney Patients
Despite the well known fact that individuals with kidney disease are at much higher risk of fluoride toxicity than the general population, there has yet to be any attempt in the United States, or any other country that practices mass-scale water fluoridation to determine the prevalence of fluoride-related effects (e.g.,
-
Fluoride's Effect on the Male Reproductive System -- In Vitro Studies
Carefully controlled in vitro studies have found that direct exposure of fluoride to the testes or semen inhibits testosterone production and damages sperm. While researchers have known since the 1930s that mega concentrations of fluoride can completely (but reversibly) immobilize sperm, it was not until the 1970s and 1980s that researchers found that relatively modest concentrations of fluoride could cause damage prior to complete immobilization.
-
Fluoride's Effect on Male Reproductive System - Human Studies
Consistent with in vitro and animal research, studies of human populations have reported associations between fluoride exposure and damage to the male reproductive system. Most notably, a scientist at the Food & Drug Administration reported in 1994 that populations in the United States with more than 3 ppm fluoride in their water had lower "total fertility rates" than populations with lower fluoride levels.
-
Mayo Clinic: Fluoridation & Bone Disease in Renal Patients
The available evidence suggests that some patients wtih long-term renal failure are being affected by drinking water with as little as 2 ppm fluoride. The finding of adverse effects in patients drinking water with 2 ppm of fluoride suggests that a few similar cases may be found in patients imbibing 1 ppm, especially if large volumes are consumed, or in heavy tea drinkers. The finding of adverse effects in patients drinking water with 2 ppm of fluoride suggests that a few similar cases may be found in patients imbibing 1 ppm, especially if large volumes are consumed, or in heavy tea drinkers and if fluoride is indeed the cause. It would seem prudent, therefore, to monitor the fluoride intake of patients with renal failure living in high fluoride areas.