Geochemical characterization of fluoride in water, table salt, active sediment, rock and soil samples, and its possible relationship with the prevalence of enamel fluorosis in children in four municipalities of the department of Huila (Colombia)

Fluoride is an element that affects teeth and bone formation in animals and humans. Though the use of systemic fluoride is an evidence-based caries preventive measure, excessive ingestion can impair tooth development, mainly the mineralization of tooth enamel, leading to a condition known as enamel fluorosis. In this study, we investigated the geochemical characterization of fluoride in water, table salt, active sediment, rock and soil samples in four endemic enamel fluorosis sentinel municipalities of the department of Huila, Colombia (Pitalito, Altamira, El Agrado and Rivera), and its possible relationship with the prevalence of enamel fluorosis in children. The concentration of fluoride in drinking water, table salt, active sediment, rock, and soil was evaluated by means of an ion selective electrode and the geochemical analyses were performed using X-ray fluorescence. Geochemical analysis revealed fluoride concentrations under 15 mg/kg in active sediment, rock and soil samples, not indicative of a significant delivery to the watersheds studied. The concentration of fluoride in table salt was found to be under the inferior limit (less than 180 μg/g) established by the Colombian regulations. Likewise, exposure doses for fluoride water intake did not exceed the recommended total dose for all ages from 6 months. Although the evidence does not point out at rocks, soils, fluoride-bearing minerals, fluoridated salt and water, the hypothesis of these elements as responsible of the current prevalence of enamel fluorosis cannot be discarded since, aqueducts might have undergone significant changes overtime

Geochemical characterization of fluoride and its relationship with the prevalence of enamel fluorosis in children in four municipalities of the department of Huila (Colombia)

Fluoride is an element that affects teeth and bone formation in animals and humans. Though the use of fluoride is an evidence-based caries preventive measure, excessive ingestion can impair tooth development, mainly the mineralization of tooth enamel, leading to a condition known as enamel fluorosis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the prevalence of enamel 2 fluorosis in children and the geochemical characterization of fluoride in four sentinel municipalities of the department of Huila, Colombia (Pitalito, Altamira, El Agrado and Rivera). The concentration of fluoride in drinking water, table salt, rocks and active sediment was evaluated by means of an ion selective electrode. Geochemical analyses were performed using X-Ray fluorescence. These revealed fluoride concentrations under 15 mg/kg in soil, rocks, and active sediment samples, not indicative of a significant delivery to the watersheds studied. The concentration of fluoride in table salt was found to be under the inferior limit (180-220 μg/g) established by the Colombian regulations. Likewise, exposure doses for fluoride water intake did not exceed the recommended total dose for all ages from 6 months. Although the evidence does not point out at rocks, soils, fluoride-bearing minerals, fluoridated salt and water, the hypothesis of these elements as responsible of the prevalence of enamel fluorosis cannot be discarded since, aqueducts might have been undergone significant changes overtime.Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación [CO] Colciencias1308-569-34427Modelo de caracterización ambiental, epidemológica, clínico-histológica e inorgánica de la fluorosis dental en niñosn

Patrón de distribución de severidad de fluorosis: ¿qué nos dice sobre exposición local a fluoruros?

Introducción y objetivo: la severidad de la fluorosis dental refleja exposición a fluoruros durante el desarrollo del esmalte. Recientemente se han reportado asociaciones entre la exposición prenatal y postnatal a fluoruros y efectos negativos en el neurodesarrollo. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir y comparar la severidad y el patrón de distribución de la fluorosis en las denticiones primaria y permanente, como base para discutir la temporalidad de la exposición en niños viviendo en áreas endémicas en el departamento del Huila. Materiales y métodos: odontólogos entrenados diagnosticaron fluorosis en 840 niños (preescolares y escolares) de cuatro municipios usando el índice de Thylstrup & Fejerskov. Para estimar la prevalencia de las diferentes severidades, cada niño se clasifico de acuerdo con la severidad más alta en boca. La distribución de la prevalencia de severidades por grupo etario y tipo de dentición se reportan como tasas de prevalencia (%). Resultados: la prevalencia en preescolares y escolares fue de 97.2% y 99.9%, respectivamente y la fluorosis moderada la más prevalente (75.6% y 63.5%, respectivamente). En ambas denticiones, la fluorosis leve fue más prevalente en los dientes anteriores que en posteriores. Las severidades moderada y severa tuvieron mayor prevalencia en dientes posteriores que en anteriores. Conclusiones: el patrón de distribución de la severidad de la fluorosis sugiere exposición prenatal y postnatal a fluoruros, por encima de los niveles recomendados. Este estudio resalta la importancia de la alidación de la fluorosis del dental como un potencial biomarcador histórico de exposición a luoruros en momentos críticos para el neurodesarrollo