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.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Longer cell phone call duration during pregnancy was associated with higher risk of miscarriage (p<0.001), abnormal birth weight (p=0.002), and abnormal newborn height (p=0.003) compared with lower call durations. Increased cordless phone use was linked to abnormal birth weight. Preterm labor and head circumference deviations were reported as outcomes, but specific associations with exposures were not stated in the provided abstract text.

Outcomes measured

• Miscarriage
• Preterm labor
• Abnormal birth weight
• Abnormal newborn height
• Abnormal head circumference

Suggested hubs

• rf-mobile-phones (0.9)
  Exposure includes cell phone call duration during pregnancy.

{
    "study_type": "cohort",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "cell phone; cordless phone; Wi‑Fi instruments",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Cell phone call duration during pregnancy (longer vs lower); cordless phone use (amount not specified)"
    },
    "population": "Pregnant women in Yazd City enrolled in the Yazd Mother and Child Cohort Center (2015–2019)",
    "sample_size": 1666,
    "outcomes": [
        "Miscarriage",
        "Preterm labor",
        "Abnormal birth weight",
        "Abnormal newborn height",
        "Abnormal head circumference"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Longer cell phone call duration during pregnancy was associated with higher risk of miscarriage (p<0.001), abnormal birth weight (p=0.002), and abnormal newborn height (p=0.003) compared with lower call durations. Increased cordless phone use was linked to abnormal birth weight. Preterm labor and head circumference deviations were reported as outcomes, but specific associations with exposures were not stated in the provided abstract text.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electromagnetic waves",
        "EMF",
        "pregnancy outcomes",
        "birth outcomes",
        "cell phone exposure",
        "cordless phone",
        "Wi‑Fi",
        "miscarriage",
        "preterm labor",
        "birth weight",
        "newborn height",
        "head circumference",
        "cohort study",
        "Yazd"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "rf-mobile-phones",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Exposure includes cell phone call duration during pregnancy."
        }
    ]
}

Comments

Log in to comment.

No comments yet.