Fluoridation Side Effects > Infant Mortality Links to Source Documents: Infant Mortality | Fluoridation One of the top causes of infant death in America is preterm pregnancies, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. A 2009 study found more premature births in upstate New York communities that had fluoridated water than in those without fluoridated water. – American Public Health Association In their 2009 report, "Born Too Soon and Too Small in the United States," the March of Dimes cites these national statistics: "In 2005, the annual societal economic cost (medical, educational, and lost productivity) associated with preterm birth in the United States was at least $26.2 billion." "Between 1996 and 2006, the rate of infants born preterm in the United States increased more than 16%."* * Between 1992 and 2006, the percentage of Americans receiving fluoridated water increased by more than 11%. (See Reference #15.) Fluoride in tap water attacks the delicate lining of an infant's stomach and intestinal tract. Watch an interview with Dr. A.K. Susheela whose report published in Current Science (May 25, 2010) showed that fluoride avoidance reduced anemia in pregnant women, decreased pre-term births and enhanced babies' birth-weight. "Half of the neurological disabilities in children are related to being born too soon," says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, President of the March of Dimes. (New England Journal of Medicine, Jan. 17, 2002) "The outcomes related to infant mortality, congenital defects and IQ indicate a need for further high quality research, using appropriate analytical methods to control for confounding factors." – Conclusions of the York Review, "Fluoridation of Drinking Water: a Systematic Review of its Efficacy and Safety," Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, September 2000. What's Lead Got to Do with It? Fluoridation chemicals leach lead into drinking water which increases lead levels in children's blood. (See also References #29 & 30.) "In 1897, about half of all American municipalities used lead pipes to distribute water. Employing data from Massachusetts, this paper compares infant death rates in cities that used lead water pipes to rates in cities that used nonlead pipes. In the average town in 1900, the use of lead pipes increased infant mortality by 25 to 50 percent. However, in cities using new pipes and distributing acidic water, lead pipes increased infant mortality three- to four-fold. Qualitative evidence supports the econometric results and indicates the adverse effects of lead extended beyond Massachusetts." – "Lead Water Pipes and Infant Mortality at the Turn of the Twentieth Century," Werner Troesken, J. Human Resources 43(3):553-575 (2008) "Research has shown that elevated blood lead levels in pregnant women, even those well below 10 micrograms per deciliter – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 'level of concern' – can cause miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and subsequent developmental delays in their children." – "Lead hazards for pregnant women and children," American Journal of Nursing, Oct. 2008 Researchers found nutritionally deprived newborns are "programmed" to eat more because they develop less neurons in the region of the brain that controls food intake, according to an article published in the March 2011 edition of Brain Research – "providing further understanding of the link between low birth weights and obesity later in life." See links to fluoride and obesity. Water Fluoridation – Sales Pitch vs. Reality Check is a comprehensive 2008 report by John D. MacArthur whose recent comments to EPA summarize epidemiological data suggesting millions of Americans are suffering adverse health conditions resulting from the failure to properly regulate fluoride in drinking water. This page revised March 30, 2011.