Mobile phone use during pregnancy with birth weight: Kumamoto of Japan Environment and Children's Study

Authors: Lu X, Oda M, Ohba T, Mitsubuchi H, Masuda S, Katoh T

Year: 2017 Jun 8

Category: Environmental Health

Journal: Environ Health Prev Med

Institution: Kumamoto University

DOI: 10.1186/s12199-017-0656-1

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664573/

Abstract

Overview

Investigating the effects of mobile phone use during pregnancy, this study explores its potential links to neonatal birth weight and overall infant health in Kumamoto, Japan.

Background

Low birth weight is associated with adverse outcomes like neonatal mortality, poor growth, cognitive challenges, and chronic conditions in later life.
While previous studies hint at behavioral issues in children linked to postnatal mobile use, the impact during pregnancy remains unclear.

Methods

The study utilized a cohort of 461 mother-child pairs, gathering data on maternal and infant characteristics, as well as details of maternal mobile phone usage during pregnancy.

Findings

Excessive mobile phone use was common among pregnant women in Japan.
Infants born to mothers with excessive mobile usage had a statistically significant lower birth weight than those whose mothers used phones ordinarily.
The frequency of infant emergency transport was notably higher in the excessive mobile phone use group.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that excessive mobile phone use during pregnancy may contribute to lower birth weights and increased rates of infant emergency transports, pointing towards a potential health risk from electromagnetic fields (EMFs). It is crucial to consider limiting mobile phone usage during pregnancy to mitigate these risks.

← Back to Stats