Background. – In developing countries, maternal and neonatal mortality is high. Among the causes of death
during the neonatal period, low birth weight is crucial. A dose of flfluoride beyond 2 mg/L causes enamel
damage, possibly affecting the foetus. The aim of this study was to search for an association between dental
fluorosis in the mother and low birth weight of the newborn.
Methodology. – This was a case–control study performed in an endemic area in Senegal (Diourbel). It
included 108 mothers who gave birth to newborns weighing less than 2500 g (cases) and 216 mothers with
newborns weighing greater or equal to 2500 g (controls). Data on sociodemographic, lifestyle, history and
pregnancy variables were collected. Those related to water consumption during pregnancy and dental
fluorosis (Dean’s index) were measured. The data were analyzed by R software. Logistic regression was
used to identify associations and the statistical significance level was set to 0.05.
Results. – The proportions of mothers consuming well water were 62% among cases versus 43.5% among
controls. The score 4 of Dean’s Index was reported for 25.9% of cases versus 6.9% of controls. The water
consumed and the modal score of Dean’s Index were significantly associated with the occurrence of low
birth weight adjusted for gender, consanguinity, anemia and hypertension.
Conclusion. – Low birth weight was associated with pregnant women living in endemic areas. Defluoridation
programs and access for pregnant women and children to high quality water are necessary in areas of
endemic fluorosis. # 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.