19 Aug Could Prenatal Fluoride Exposure Lower IQ Scores?
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Rivka Green
Rivka Green, MA
Doctoral Candidate
Clinical Developmental Neuropsychology
York University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: We conducted a study on 512 mother-child pairs from 6 major cities across Canada, about half of whom lived in a region that receives fluoridated water.
We found that prenatal fluoride exposure was associated with lower IQ scores in 3-4 year old children.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Our study indicates that fluoride ingestion during pregnancy – at levels within the range of community water fluoridation – may not be safe for the unborn child, and we recommend that fluoride ingestion during pregnancy be reduced.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: As this is one study, further research is warranted for replication. Future studies might also want to consider other vulnerable populations, such as infants receiving formula reconstituted with fluoridated water, as this is a major source of fluoride exposure.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: It is up to policy makers and public health scientists to weigh the benefits and risks of fluoridation. This will be particularly challenging for the developing fetus because there is no benefit of fluoride until the teeth have erupted. We hope that our results, combined with other recent studies, help to advise policy.
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Last Updated on August 19, 2019 by Marie Benz MD FAAD