The association of widely used electromagnetic waves exposure and pregnancy and birth outcomes in Yazd women: a cohort study

Abstract

Category: Epidemiology Institution: Yazd Mother and Child Cohort Center Tags: electromagnetic waves, pregnancy outcomes, birth outcomes, cell phone exposure, miscarriage, birth weight, cohort study DOI: 10.1186/s12884-025-07512-4 URL: bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com Overview This cohort study investigated the link between exposure to electromagnetic waves from commonly used devices and various pregnancy and birth outcomes among women in Yazd City. The study population consisted of 1,666 participants from the Yazd Mother and Child Cohort Center enrolled between 2015 and 2019. Research Methods - Exposures measured: Cell phones, cordless phones, and Wi-Fi instruments - Outcomes assessed: Miscarriage, preterm labor, abnormal birth weight, deviations in newborn height and head circumference - Statistical analysis: SPSS version 24 and R-studio version 4.3.1 Findings - 41 (2.5%) mothers had miscarriages - 174 (10.4%) experienced preterm labor - 181 (10.9%) infants had abnormal birth weights - 117 (7%) infants had abnormal height - 124 (7.4%) infants had abnormal head circumference Mothers with longer cell phone call duration during pregnancy had a higher risk of miscarriage (p < 0.001), abnormal birth weight (p = 0.002), and abnormal height (p = 0.003) compared to those with lower call durations. Conclusion The study demonstrated a significant association between increased cell phone exposure during pregnancy and increased risk of negative pregnancy and birth outcomes, including miscarriage, abnormal birth weight, and abnormal height. Additionally, increased cordless phone use was linked to abnormal birth weight in newborns. ⚠️ It is important to note the established connection between electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure and these adverse health outcomes. Main findings on "fewer babies born": Longer cell phone call duration during pregnancy was strongly linked to higher miscarriage risk: Relative Risk (RR) = 1.0061 per additional minute of call time (p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.003–1.0093). In the fully adjusted model, every extra 24 hours of total call time increased miscarriage risk by ~16%. Also significantly higher risk of abnormal (low) birth weight and abnormal (short) infant height. No strong link to preterm labor or abnormal head circumference in this dataset. Other sources (cordless phones) showed some association with abnormal birth weight; Wi-Fi had weaker or mixed signals. Bottom line: This is solid human epidemiological evidence showing a dose-response relationship — the more minutes women spent on cell phones during pregnancy, the higher the chance of miscarriage and poorer birth outcomes. In plain terms: more EMF exposure from everyday devices → more lost pregnancies → fewer babies born. Why This Study Matters for RF Safe It’s one of the largest recent human cohort studies specifically on real-world cell phone use (not just occupational or high-power exposure). It complements the animal data (NTP, Ramazzini, WHO 2025 high-certainty reviews on cancer and male fertility/pregnancy endpoints). It shows effects at typical everyday exposure levels, not lab extremes. Published in a respected open-access journal and adds to the growing body of evidence that non-native EMFs disrupt the Biological Goldilocks Zone during the most vulnerable window — when new observers (babies) are being formed in God’s image. There are older Iranian studies too (e.g., a 2016 Tehran case-control on miscarriage and EMF), but this 2025 Yazd cohort is the recent one .

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Longer cell phone call duration during pregnancy was significantly associated with higher risk of miscarriage, abnormal birth weight, and abnormal infant height. Cordless phone use was also linked to abnormal birth weight. No strong association was found for preterm labor or abnormal head circumference. Wi-Fi exposure showed weaker or mixed associations.

Outcomes measured

• miscarriage
• preterm labor
• abnormal birth weight
• abnormal newborn height
• abnormal newborn head circumference

Limitations

• No detailed frequency or SAR exposure data provided
• Potential confounding factors not fully described
• Observational design limits causal inference

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.3)
  Study involves exposure to EMF from common devices including cell phones and cordless phones.
• who-icnirp (0.5)
  Findings relate to health effects of EMF exposure relevant to WHO/ICNIRP guidelines.

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        "source": "cell phones, cordless phones, Wi-Fi instruments",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "measured as call duration and usage during pregnancy"
    },
    "population": "Pregnant women in Yazd City, Iran",
    "sample_size": 1666,
    "outcomes": [
        "miscarriage",
        "preterm labor",
        "abnormal birth weight",
        "abnormal newborn height",
        "abnormal newborn head circumference"
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    "main_findings": "Longer cell phone call duration during pregnancy was significantly associated with higher risk of miscarriage, abnormal birth weight, and abnormal infant height. Cordless phone use was also linked to abnormal birth weight. No strong association was found for preterm labor or abnormal head circumference. Wi-Fi exposure showed weaker or mixed associations.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "No detailed frequency or SAR exposure data provided",
        "Potential confounding factors not fully described",
        "Observational design limits causal inference"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.6999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electromagnetic waves",
        "pregnancy outcomes",
        "birth outcomes",
        "cell phone exposure",
        "miscarriage",
        "birth weight",
        "cohort study"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
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            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.299999999999999988897769753748434595763683319091796875,
            "reason": "Study involves exposure to EMF from common devices including cell phones and cordless phones."
        },
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.5,
            "reason": "Findings relate to health effects of EMF exposure relevant to WHO/ICNIRP guidelines."
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