Variations in concentration of fluoride in blood plasma of pregnant women and their possible consequences for amelogenesis in a fetus

The aim of the study was to assess the fluoride exposure of pregnant women living in Poznan (Poland) by examination of fluoride levels in blood plasma.The subjects of the study were 31 pregnant women aged 22–34 years in the course of regular pregnancy. Data concerning the sources of fluoride exposure such as diet, oral hygiene measures and topical application of fluoride procedures, were collected from each individual with a questionnaire. Samples of blood plasma were drawn in the 28th, 33rd week of pregnancy and during delivery. The analysis evaluating the fluoride concentration in the samples was carried out with the use of fluoride electrode ORION (model 96-09). The data were statistically analyzed using the program Statistica for Windows.Mean value of fluoride concentration in the samples of blood plasma from the 28th week of pregnancy was lower than the mean concentration detected in the 33rd week of pregnancy (3.29 and 3.73 μmol/l, respectively). These values suggest that apart from drinking water, there were other important sources of fluoride in the examined sample.The results indicate that a reliable assessment of fluoride exposure in a given population cannot be based solely on the concentration of fluoride in drinking water. Relatively high levels of fluoride in blood plasma of examined women suggest that there is no need for fluoride supplementation in this group of patients.