How community water fluoride relates to baby health at birth
Evaluating the effect of water fluoridation on adverse birth outcomes
This project looks at whether fluoride added to community drinking water affects babies' chances of being born early or small in California.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161421 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team links California community water fluoridation records to birth records from 2006–2017 and compares places and times that added fluoride with those that did not to look for differences in preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age. They use mothers' residential information and timing of fluoridation changes to isolate the effect of fluoride exposure during pregnancy. The analysis will examine whether certain groups (for example by maternal age or areas with different environmental exposures) are more vulnerable and will consider possible biological pathways like thyroid and cardiovascular effects. Findings will aim to point to who may be at higher risk and inform public health guidance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who were pregnant while living in California during 2006–2017, especially those in communities that changed water fluoridation, are most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People who live outside California, who were not pregnant during the 2006–2017 period, or who seek immediate clinical treatment for pregnancy complications are unlikely to benefit directly from this observational work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If findings show a link, this could guide safer water-fluoridation policies and help pregnant people and clinicians reduce risks to babies.
How similar studies have performed: A small number of studies in other countries with naturally high fluoride have suggested increased risk of adverse birth outcomes, but evidence is limited and applying this approach to U.S. water systems is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goin, Dana E — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Goin, Dana E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.