title: Fluoride concentration and pH of pediatric medicines regularly and long-term used by children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim in this study was to determine the fluoride concentration and pH of 71 pediatric medicines regularly and long-term used by children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The fluoride concentration was evaluated by selective electrode of fluoride (Orion). The pH was confronted using specific electrode (Orion) coupled to a potentiometer (Orion). The analyses were accomplished in duplicate. Pearson 's correlation and Kruskal-Wallis test were used. P-values below 5% were considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Medicine pH averages±SD varied from 2.3±0.01 to up 10.6±0.02. Values below critical pH were observed in 42.25% (n=30) of presentations, with 25.35% (n=18) below 4.5 pH. Most medicines (84.5%) presented fluoride concentration below 0.05 mg/L.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the pediatric medicines evaluated, this study has showed that 2-4 times-a-day posology and syrup formulations presented lowest pH and fluoride concentration, resulting in factors that predict highest cariogenic and erosive potential.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Paraíba, Rua José Firmino Ferreira, 1060/ 103, Bancários, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. isabelaapassos@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Isabela-Albuquerque
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Passos
authors.forename: Cláudia-Helena-Soares
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: de M Freitas
authors.forename: Fábio-Correia
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Sampaio
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D014070:Tooth / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D005459:Fluorides