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Consumption of soft drinks with phosphoric acid as a risk factor for the development of hypocalcemia in children: a
E Mazariegos-Ramos1, F Guerrero-Romero, M Rodríguez-Morán
1Hospital General de Zona No. 1 Durango, Mexico, Mexico City.
Insights
Consuming at least 1.5 L weekly of phosphoric acid-containing soft drinks significantly increases the risk of hypocalcemia in children. Further research is needed to confirm a causal link between these beverages and low serum calcium levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Biochemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypocalcemia, a condition of low serum calcium, affects children and can have serious health implications.
- The role of dietary factors, particularly soft drink consumption, in the etiology of hypocalcemia requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the intake of soft drinks containing phosphoric acid and the risk of developing hypocalcemia in children.
- To determine if high consumption of phosphoric acid-sweetened beverages is a significant risk factor for pediatric hypocalcemia.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study comparing 57 children with hypocalcemia (serum calcium < 2.2 mmol/L) to 171 healthy controls (serum calcium ≥ 2.2 mmol/L).
- Assessed the weekly intake of soft drinks containing phosphoric acid in both cases and controls.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant association was identified between high soft drink intake (≥ 1.5 L/week) and hypocalcemia.
- The odds ratio for hypocalcemia associated with phosphoric acid-containing soft drink consumption was 5.27 (95% CI: 3.17 to 8.75; p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Intake of phosphoric acid-containing soft drinks is a potential risk factor for hypocalcemia in children.
- The findings suggest a need for further investigation into a potential causal relationship between these beverages and the development of hypocalcemia.
Abstract:
A comparison of 57 cases (in children with serum calcium concentration < 2.2 mmol/L) and 171 controls (in children with serum calcium level > or = 2.2 mmol/L) was carried out to assess whether the intake of at least 1.5 L/wk of soft drinks containing phosphoric acid is a risk factor for the development of hypocalcemia. A significant association was found: odds ratio = 5.27; 95% confidence interval, 3.17 to 8.75; p < 0.001. The hypothesis of a causal relationship between intake of phosphoric acid-containing soft drinks and hypocalcemia warrants further investigation.