The spectrum of radiographic bone changes in children with fluorosis
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Excessive fluoride ingestion in pregnant women causes crippling bone deformities in Tanzanian children. These skeletal changes, including knock-knees and bowlegs, result from impaired bone formation and mineralization due to fluoride poisoning.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Skeletal Biology
Background:
- Endemic fluorosis is prevalent in certain regions of Tanzania.
- Excessive fluoride exposure during pregnancy poses risks to fetal development.
- Skeletal deformities in children can significantly impact mobility and quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report and describe painful, crippling skeletal deformities in Tanzanian children.
- To investigate the potential link between maternal excessive fluoride ingestion and fetal bone development disturbances.
- To characterize the spectrum of bone changes observed in affected children.
Main Methods:
- Clinical observation and reporting of pediatric skeletal deformities.
- Assessment of potential etiological factors, including maternal fluoride intake.
- Radiographic analysis to identify bone changes and compare with other skeletal disorders.
Main Results:
- Children presented with painful, crippling deformities such as knock-knees, bowlegs, and saber shins.
- Bone changes included combinations of osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and osteosclerosis.
- Radiographic findings suggested rickets, hyperparathyroidism, and thalassemia in some cases.
Conclusions:
- Excessive fluoride ingestion during pregnancy is a likely cause of severe skeletal deformities in Tanzanian children.
- Disturbances in osteoid formation and mineralization due to fluoride poisoning affect fetal bone development.
- Further research is needed to understand the role of hormonal, dietary, and genetic factors in aggravating these bone conditions.
Abstract:
Painful, crippling deformities in Tanzanian children from an area of endemic fluorosis are reported. Excessive fluoride ingestion in pregnant women may possibly poison and alter enzyme and hormonal systems in the fetus causing disturbances to osteoid formation and mineralization. Knock-knees, bowlegs, and saber shins develop when walking begins. Combinations of osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and osteosclerosis result in a spectrum of bone changes from an early age. Male hormones, and dietary and genetic deficiencies may aggravate individual response of actively growing bones. Some radiographic changes suggestive of rickets, hyperparathyroidism and thalassemia were observed.