ASSESSMENT OF DENTAL FLUOROSIS IN CHILDREN OF JAIPUR DISTRICT, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Objective: The objective of the present study was carried out to explore the potential association between fluoride concentration in drinking water and severity of dental fluorosis (DF) in the children.Methods: The study of dental fluorosis (DF) in the children (6-14 years old) was conducted in the two blocks (a) Jamwaramgarh block ;Heerawala, Palera ,Nayabas, Saipur and Birasana, (b) Amber block; Jugalpura, Chitanukalan, Sunder ka bas, Peelwa and Sirsali of Jaipur district, Rajasthan, India of the study villages. Total 150, children were surveyed. The role of fluoride (F) levels in drinking water in the etiology of dental fluorosis (DF) and the cases of dental fluorosis (DF) in both dentitions and teeth were also assessed using DEAN'S classification. The fluoride (F) concentration in source of drinking water was estimated by fluoride (F) ion specific electrode (Thermo Scientific Orion Star A329, USA).Results: The F concentration in (Tube well and Hand pump) water ranges from 0.7 to 15.0 parts per million (ppm) in Jamwaramgarh block and 1.40 to 5. 10 parts per million (ppm) in Amber block. Prevalence of dental fluorosis (DF) 27 (36%) in Jamwaramgar block and 26 (34.66%) in Amber block out of 75 children were examined in each block. Significantly increase in levels of F in drinking water is positively correlated with dental fluorosis.Conclusion: This study finding has shown the relation of dental fluorosis (DF) to high fluoride (F) levels in drinking water sources. A higher fluoride (F) levels in source of drinking water is a major risk factor for dental fluorosis. In view of the severity of the problem the intake of calcium rich foods and defluoridation techniques may help reducing risk of dental fluorosis (DF) in the children.Â

Cobalamin and folate deficiencies among children in the age group of 12-59 months in India

Background: Anemia is a major public health problem among children under 5 years of age in India. Cobalamin and folate deficiencies play an important role in the etiology of anemia. This study was done to assess the prevalence of cobalamin and folate deficiencies among children in the age group of 12-59 months. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 470 children were included. Non-fasting venous blood samples were collected from each child for the estimation of serum cobalamin and folate levels. Pattern of dietary consumption of the each child was assessed with the help of the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) method. Results: The median levels (interquartile range) of serum cobalamin (n = 469) and folate (n = 416) were found to be 275 (202-427) pg/ml and 3.02 (2.02-4.94) ng/ml, respectively. The overall prevalence of cobalamin and folate deficiencies was found to be 180/469 [38.4%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 34.1-42.8%] and 263/416 (63.2%; 95% CI: 58.5-67.7%), respectively. Conclusions: A high prevalence of cobalamin and folate deficiencies was found in children under 5 years of age

ASSESSMENT OF SKELETAL FLUOROSIS AMONG CHILDREN IN TWO BLOCKS OF RURAL AREA, JAIPUR DISTRICT, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Objective: The objective of the present study was carried out to explore the potential association between fluoride (F) concentration in drinking water and severity of skeletal fluorosis (SF) among the children of rural area.Methods: SF survey was conducted among the children (6-14 years) in two blocks such as (a) Jamwa Ramgarh block in Heerawala, Palera, Nayabas, Saipur, and Birasana and (b) Amber block in Sunder Ka Bas, Chitanukalan, Jugalpura, Peelwa, and Sirsali in Jaipur district of Rajasthan, India, of the study villages. A total of 150 (93 male and 57 female) children were surveyed. The role of fluoride (F) concentration in drinking water in the etiology of SF and the cases of SF was assessed using. The United Nations Children's Fund three clinical test. The fluoride content in the source of drinking water was estimated by fluoride ion-specific electrode (Thermo Scientific Orion Star A329, USA).Results: The fluoride concentration in hand pump (Hp) water which ranges from 2.1 to 15 parts per million (ppm) and tube well (Tw) water ranges from 0.7 to 6.2 ppm in Jamwa Ramgarh block and Amber block, Hp water which ranges from 0.8 to 5.1 ppm and Tw water ranges from 0.8 to 4.8 ppm. The prevalence of SF 9 (12%) in Jamwa Ramgarh block and 6 (8%) in Amber block out of 75 children were examined in each block. Significantly increase in fluoride level in drinking water is positively correlated with SF.Conclusion: This study has shown the relation of SF to high fluoride levels in the source of drinking water is a major risk factor for SF among the children. SF is a threat among the children in two blocks of rural area, Jaipur district, Rajasthan