Association Between Maternal Exposure to Magnetic Field Nonionizing Radiation During Pregnancy and Risk of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Offspring in a Longitudinal Birth Cohort

Authors: De-Kun Li et al.

Year: 2020

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Institution: JAMA Network Open

DOI: e201417

URL: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776553

Abstract

Overview

This study investigates the potential impacts of maternal exposure to high levels of magnetic field (MF) nonionizing radiation during pregnancy on the incidence of ADHD in offspring. This research uses data from a longitudinal birth cohort.

Findings

  • Originally, the study used a 1.3-mG cut point to categorize MF exposure but this was later corrected to continuous exposure levels.
  • In utero exposure to various levels of MF nonionizing radiation was found to be associated with a higher risk of ADHD, particularly ADHD with immune-related comorbidity, though findings were inconsistent.

Conclusion

The revised analyses suggest a complex and non-linear association between maternal MF exposure and ADHD risk in offspring. Significant limitations include wide confidence intervals and no adjustments for multiple comparisons, suggesting caution in interpreting these findings.

Changes in the Study

  • Elimination of cut point-based results.
  • Inclusion of dose-response analysis to better understand the relationship.
  • Replacement of binary exposure groups with continuous exposure levels in the analysis.
ADHD magnetic fields maternal exposure nonionizing radiation epidemiological study health risks
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