Premium
Is the fluoride/creatinine ratio of a spot urine sample indicative of 24‐h urinary fluoride?
Author(s) -
Zohouri F. V.,
Swinbank C. M.,
Maguire A.,
Moynihan P. J.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2006.00269.x
Subject(s) - fluoride , medicine , urine , toothpaste , morning , creatinine , ingestion , urine sample , urinary system , zoology , dentistry , chemistry , inorganic chemistry , biology
– Objective: The main aim of this study was to determine how representative the fluoride/creatinine (F/Cr) ratio of a spot urinary sample is of the fluoride content of a 24‐h urine sample in young children aged 12–36 months. Subsidiary objectives were to: (a) evaluate the use of 24‐h urine samples in monitoring fluoride exposure and (b) estimate the retention of fluoride in very young children. Methods: Seven healthy children residing in a fluoridated area completed the study. Dietary information was obtained using a 3‐day estimated food diary followed by an interview on the fourth day. Samples of foods and drinks were analysed for fluoride content. Ingestion of fluoride from toothpaste was also measured. A 24‐h urine sample and a morning spot urine sample were collected from each child. Results: The mean age of the children was 32 months (range: 16–36 months). The mean total daily intake of fluoride was 0.71 (±0.41) mg or 0.05 (±0.02) mg/kg bodyweight, of which 37% came from the diet, the remainder being from toothpaste ingestion. None of the children used any other sources of fluoride such as fluoride tablets or fluoridated salt. The mean F/Cr ratio was 1.49 (±0.63) mg F/g creatinine. A positive correlation (Pearson's correlation = 0.76, P = 0.05) between fluoride excretion estimated using the F/Cr ratio in a morning spot urine sample and fluoride excretion in a 24‐h urine sample was found. There was also a positive correlation (Pearson's correlation = 0.83, P = 0.02) between total daily fluoride intake and 24‐h urinary fluoride excretion. Less than half (43%) of the total daily fluoride intake was retained in the body. Conclusions: The F/Cr ratio of a morning spot urine sample may be used to estimate mean 24‐h urinary excretion of fluoride and therefore has potential application for larger‐scale epidemiological studies where 24‐h samples are impractical. Estimates of 24‐h urinary fluoride excretion can be used to gauge fluoride exposure.