Abstract
Objective:
To estimate dietary fluoride intake (F-) over the course of pregnancy and the overall adjusted difference in dietary F- intake by pregnancy stages and levels of compliance with dietary recommendations.
Design:
Secondary data analysis from a longitudinal pregnancy cohort study in a population exposed to fluoridated salt. Women were followed during the early, middle and late stages of their pregnancy (n=568). The dietary intake of recommended prenatal nutrients according to Mexican dietary guidelines and F- intake (mg/day) were estimated with a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire. Data were summarized with descriptive statistics. Levels of F- intake were compared to the USA’s IOM Adequate Intake (AI) of 3 mg/day for pregnancy. Adjusted differences in F- intake by pregnancy stages and levels of compliance with recommendations were estimated using random effects models.
Setting:
Mexico City.
Participants:
Women participating in the Early Life Exposures in Mexico to ENvironmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) project, from 2001 to 2003.
Results:
Median dietary F- intake (IQR) throughout pregnancy ranged from 0.64 (0.38) in the early-, to 0.70 (0.42) in the middle-, and 0.72 (0.44) mg/day in the late-stage (0.01 mg F-/kg/day). Corresponding adjusted intakes of F- [95% CI] were 0.72 [0.70-0.74], 0.76 [0.74-0.77], and 0.80 [0.78-0.82] mg/day. Women who were moderately and highly compliant with Mexican dietary recommendations ingested, on average, 0.04 and 0.14 mg F-/day more than non-compliant women (p<0.005).
Conclusions:
Dietary F- intake was below current AI, was greater with the progression of pregnancy and in women who were moderately and highly compliant with dietary recommendations.
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