[Effect of endemic fluorosis on children's intelligence development: a Meta analysis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of high levels of fluoride on children's intelligence development by analyzing the literatures systematically.


METHODS
The literatures on the relationship between endemic fluorosis and children's intelligence development published between 1995 and 2007 were retrieved electronically and manually. A total of 13 relevant literatures that met the inclusion criteria were included for Meta analysis. Meta analysis was performed using the Coorporative network software RevMan 4.3.


RESULTS
The subjects of the 13 literatures included 2 508 children from the high fluoride group and 2 330 children from the control group. Meta analysis showed these literatures were inhomogenous (x2=268.05, p<0.01). Therefore a random effect model was used. The average effect scale (OR=-7.14; 95%CI: -9.90, -4.37) suggested a negative correlation between high fluorosis exposure and children's intelligence development.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to high levels of fluoride may adversely influence children's intelligence development.
Liu
Ming
M
Department of Health Statistics, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
Qian
Cong
C
D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence