Delivered at high doses and/or over long periods, fluorine compounds may negatively affect the function of the immune and nervous systems, cause allergies and negatively alter the thyroid function. Due to their higher susceptibility to fluoride absorption, children are at higher risk of the aforementioned consequences manifested by chronic fatigue, lowered IQ scores and learning difficulties. Due to the fact that drinks are an important element of children's diet and that they are a source of fluoride more easily absorbed by the system, one should take the intake of these drinks into account when estimating the daily dose of fluoride delivered to the body. Particular types of drinks for children and infants may differ in terms of fluoride concentration, depending mostly on the species and origin of fruit and vegetables and the quality and quantity of water used in production of these drinks.

The aim of this study was to determine the fluoride levels in the most popular drinks for children and infants as available on Polish market.

The studies were conducted on drinks intended for children and infants. The products were divided into seven categories. Subject to the tests were: fruit juices for children aged 3 months and above, puree-based juices, fruit drinks for kindergarten and school-age children, vitamins and microelements-enriched drinks, milk-based drinks and the "one-day" juices. Measurements of fluoride concentrations in individual drinks were carried out using an Orion (USA) fluoride ion-selective electrode.  Statistical analysis of the results was based on non-parametric tests (Friedman ANOVA test and Mann-Whitney U test). Differences were considered statistically significant for p < 0.05. The conducted study was supplemented by the results of a survey conducted among parents and regarding, among others, the type and quantities of products offered to their children.

The highest concentration of fluoride was determined in milk-based drinks, while the lowest in fruit juices for children above 3 years of age and juices for infants above 3 months of age. The fluoride levels in milk-based drinks were higher in a statistically similar manner than these in both fruit-based drinks (p < 0.01), vitamin-enriched drinks (p < 0.05), juices for infants above 3 months of age (p < 0.01), puree-based juices (p < 0.01) and one-day juices (p < 0.01). Statistically significant differences in fluoride levels were also observed between vitamin-enriched drinks and juices for infants above 3 months of age (p < 0.01) or fruit drinks (p < 0.01).

Milk-based drinks are characterized by the highest levels of fluoride. At the same time, these drinks are considered the healthiest. The knowledge regarding the contents of fluorine compounds in drinks for children and informed choice of drinks offered to the children will allow to reduce the risk of the negative effects of fluorine on their systems.

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