Dosis de exposición a fluoruros por el consumo de diferentes tipos de leche en residentes de una zona con hidrofluorosis endémica en México

Worldwide Variations in Fluoride Content in Beverages for Infants

In situations where breastfeeding is impractical, milk formulas have emerged as the primary choice for infant nutrition. Numerous global studies have scrutinized the fluoride content in these formulas, uncovering fluctuations in fluoride levels directly associated with the method of preparation. This variability poses a potential risk of elevated fluoride concentrations and, consequently, an increased susceptibility to dental fluorosis in infants. The primary objective of this review is to intricately delineate the fluoride content in dairy formulas and emphasize the variability of these values concerning their reconstitution process. The review's findings reveal that, among the 17 studies assessing fluoride levels in infant formula, milk-based formulas exhibit a range of 0.01-0.92 ppm, with only two studies exceeding 1.30 ppm. Conversely, soy-based formulas demonstrate values ranging from 0.13-1.11 ppm. In conclusion, the observed variability in fluoride levels in infant formulas is ascribed to the choice of the water source employed in the preparation process. This underscores the paramount importance of meticulously adhering to recommendations and guidelines provided by healthcare professionals concerning the utilization of these formulas and their meticulous reconstitution.

Health Risk Assessment in Mexican Children Exposed to Fluoride from Sweetened Beverages

The primary source of fluoride exposure is groundwater, but evidence suggests that beverages and food are additional fluoride sources. Intake of these products at an early age affects the optimal functioning of soft organs. An increase in sweetened beverage consumption by the pediatric population has been reported, suggesting an increase in fluoride exposure. The objectives of this study were to determine the fluoride concentrations in beverages and analyze the risk to human health from fluoride exposure to sweetened beverages consumed by children. Eighty-two sugar-sweetened beverages produced in different Mexican states were analyzed. The fluoride determination was carried out with an ion-selective electrode. The highest fluoride concentration was 1.92 mg/L; 73.2% of beverages showed fluoride values above permitted limits. Low-cost beverages had the highest fluoride values, suggesting that the water used for their production does not comply with fluorine regulations. According to the risk assessment in children from 3 to 6 years, the daily consumption of juices and sodas with concentrations that exceeded the normative of 0.7 mg/L could represent a risk to dental fluorosis development. It is crucial to control fluoride and regulate its concentrations in beverages for children to ensure food safety, especially in areas of endemic hydrofluorosis.

Exposure to environmental neurotoxic substances and neurodevelopment in children from Latin America and the Caribbean

Environmental (and occupational) exposure to neurotoxic substances is a worldwide problem that can affect children's neurodevelopment (ND). In Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries there are over 300 million children living under the threat of neurodevelopmental delays due to toxic environmental exposure. Large industrial centers, intense mining and agricultural activities, along with changing complex ecosystems constitute a mosaic that drives contamination of air, water and the food chain. Neurotoxic contaminants such as pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and manganese fungicides), chemicals of industrial use (phthalates), and metals (Hg, Pb, Al, As, F, Cd, Mo, Mn) are at the center of environmental exposure studies. Exposure to neurotoxic substances singly or in combination with other compounds or socioeconomic stressors (maternal education, socio-economic and nutritional status) intertwined with occupational and para-occupational exposure can affect ND (motor, cognition, behavior) of children. Significant negative effects of pesticides and neurotoxic elements on ND were found in all studied countries, affecting especially the less-privileged children from laboring families. Studies showed that exposures to the neurotoxicants in human milk are secondary to their more lasting effects during prenatal exposure. This review integrates exposure (prenatal and breastfeeding), metabolism, and ND effects of neurotoxicants. It highlights the overwhelming evidence showing that current levels of exposures are hazardous and detrimental to children's ND in LAC countries. The evidence indicates that a reduction in neurotoxicant exposure is essential to protect children's ND. Therefore, it is urgent to adopt policies and actions that prevent and remediate region-specific children's ND issues.