Association between drinking water fluoride and the serum alkaline phosphatase and phosphate levels in pregnant women and newborn infants.

Background: Endemic fluorosis (skeletal and dental) is a serious public health problem in many parts of the world, especially in India. Age, sex, dietary calcium (Ca), the hormonal status, the dose and duration of the fluoride intake, and renal efficiency in handling fluoride all influence fluoride metabolism.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the fluoride present in drinking water on the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and phosphate levels in pregnant women and newborn infants.