Decision to Fluoridate. 2. Intake of Fluoride from Nonmilk Fluids by Children under two Years of Age in Lebanon

Abstract

This study investigated fluoride intake from fluids consumed by children 0 to 2 years of age residing in urban and rural areas in Lebanon. An area sample of 150 families with children was selected from Beirut and three villages in the Shouf Area in Mount Lebanon (70 and 80 families, respectively). Food diaries for two weekdays and one weekend day were obtained for children aged 0 to 2 years in urban and rural areas (76 and 85 children, respectively), and their fluoride intake from fluids was assessed. Children were given tea, anise, mint, and mixed herbal teas for various reasons, such as their medicinal, warming, and calming effects. They were also given orange flower water, orange juice, and rice water. In urban areas, the fluoride intakes from fluids, expressed as percentages of the estimated safe and adequate (ESA) intake of fluoride, were 48.5% among children 0 to 6 months old, 110.5% among those 7 to 12 months old, 21.9% among those 13 to 18 months old, and 43.5% among those 19 to 24 months old. In rural areas, the ESA fluoride intake from teas was 180.9%, 115.9%, 102.0%, and 71.5% for children aged 0 to 6 months, 7 to 12 months, 13 to 18 months, and 19 to 24 months, respectively. In view of the substantial level of intake of fluoride from nonmilk fluids among children in this study, decisions regarding water fluoridation in Lebanon should consider these results.