Blood Lead Levels and Dental Caries in U.S. Children Who Do Not Drink Tap Water.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

This study's purpose is to determine whether nonconsumption of tap water is associated with lower prevalence of elevated blood lead levels and higher prevalence of dental caries in children and adolescents.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2014 recorded drinking water source (n=15,604) and blood lead levels (n=12,373) for participants aged 2-19 years, and dental caries experience for the 2011-2014 subset (n=5,677). The threshold for elevated blood lead level was ≥3 μg/dL. A binary outcome indicated presence or absence of dental caries experience. Multivariable generalized linear models estimated adjusted prevalence ratios with 95% confidence limits.

Results

In analysis conducted in 2017, 15% of ch

SUBMITTER: Sanders AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5783762 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature