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In new policy statement, American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not giving well water to infants

Posted by: Maven on June 14, 2009 at 10:33 am

From Consumer Reports:

If you get your household water from a private well, you probably know that you should check the well annually for potential impurities like Giardia intestinalis, Shigella spp., E. coli 0157:H7 and coliform bacteria, Campylobacter jejuni, nitrate from sewage or fertilizer, radon, and arsenic. Groups like the National Ground Water Association, NSF International, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocate for an annual assessment of water for the 15 to 20 percent of U.S. households that rely on wells.

But if you have infants or young children at home, you should be aware of a new policy statement issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Since infants in particular cannot metabolize nitrate, the AAP recommends that you not use water with a nitrate concentration of more than 10 milligrams per liter to prepare infant formula or give well water to a child younger than one year old. The statement suggests using bottled water for infants when nitrate contamination is detected or when the source of drinking water is unknown.

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June 14, 2009 · Filed Under Drinking Water & Bottled Water

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