Objective To identify the effect of electromagnetic field exposure in the first trimester of pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes.
Methods A clinical epidemiological investigation was conducted in 199 cases with diagnosed adverse pregnancy outcomes including spontaneous abortion, missed abortion, stillbirth, fetal malformation, intrauterine growth restriction, and delivery of full-term low birth weight infants, and 201 controls who delivered healthy and full-term newborns. The two groups were recruited from the same hospital in the same year. Information on living environment in the first trimester of pregnancy, especially electromagnetic field exposure, was surveyed with a self-designed questionnaire to determine the effect of electromagnetic field exposure in the first trimester of pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes. Chi-square test, rank sum test, and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis were performed.
Results The weekly usage time, carrying time, and carrying ratio of mobile phone, the usage ratio and weekly usage time of computer, electromagnetic furnace, cordless telephone, copier, and microwave oven, and the distance away from the microwave oven in the case group were statistically higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05) in the univariate analysis. The results of logistic regression analysis showed no significant differences in the above mentioned factors between the case group and the control group (P > 0.05).
Conclusion Exposure to mobile phone, television, computer, microwave oven, copier, electromagnetic furnace, electric blanket, cordless telephone in the first trimester of pregnancy has no effect on pregnancy outcomes.
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