RESUMO
In July 2000 about 124 children were detected suffering from skeletal fluorosis at Manga Mandi near Lahore. They were drinking high fluoride (maximum level 29 ppm) containing water. We have studied various biochemical parameters in serum, including alkaline phosphatase, calcium and inorganic phosphorus. These levels were compared with the levels of those children who were the brothers and/or sisters of the patients (patient control) and had a dental fluororsis of varying degree. These levels were also compared with the serum levels of normal children (normal control). Serum samples were analyzed using standard kits of Boringer Mannham and Randox. Serum alkaline phosphatase levels of patients, patient control and normal control were 291.68 +/- 121.06 (mean +/- SD, n=8), 196.58 +/- 45.71 (n=10) and 144.85 +/- 39.77 (U/L) respectively. Serum calcium levels of patient, patient control and normal control were 1.44 +/- 0.08, 1.41 +/- 0.14 and 1.28 +/- 0.13 (m.mol/L) respectively. Serum inorganic phosphorus levels of patient, patient control and normal control were 1.55 +/- 0.08, 1.65 +/- 0.09 and 1.69 +/- 0.04 (m.mol/L) respectively. These results enable us to conclude that blood calcium and phosphorus may play a major role for the determination of skeletal fluorosis whereas alkaline phosphatase may be having a minor importance.