Evaluation of neonatal outcomes according to the specific absorption rate values of phones used during pregnancy

Authors: Büyükeren M, Karanfil Yaman F

Year: 2024 Mar 6

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc

Institution: Konya City Hospital

DOI: 10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2023.2022-10-1

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10921072/

Abstract

Overview

This study aimed to compare neonatal outcomes based on cell phone specific absorption rate (SAR) levels and the daily time spent on cell phones by pregnant women. The investigation was retrospective, including women who gave birth at Konya City Hospital between September 2020 and February 2021.

Methods

  • Gestational ages, birth weight, birth length, head circumference, sex, 5-minute APGAR scores, neonate postpartum resuscitation requirement, and delivery type were recorded.
  • The model of phone used by the pregnant women and average daily use duration were also documented.
  • To assess the relationship between SAR values and small for gestational age (SGA) babies, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was utilized.

Findings

  • Total participants: 1495 pregnant women.
  • Significantly higher rate of delivering SGA infants in women who used phones with higher SAR values (p=0.001).
  • The cut-off SAR value associated with SGA was 1.23 W/kg (sensitivity: 69.3%, specificity: 73.0%).
  • No correlation was found between the time spent on the phone and SGA birth rate.
  • Both phone SAR values and usage time were higher in the symmetrical SGA group vs. asymmetrical SGA group, but not statistically significant.
  • Women with preterm delivery had higher SAR values and spent more time on phones compared to term deliveries, however these differences were also not significant.

Conclusion

There is a clear trend: Increasing the SAR values of cell phones used during pregnancy is associated with a higher likelihood of delivering a small for gestational age (SGA) baby. While the study did not find significant links with length of phone use, the SAR value itself—an indicator of prenatal electromagnetic field exposure—was related to neonatal health risks.

pregnancy electromagnetic fields SAR neonatal outcomes cell phone use small for gestational age birth outcomes
← Back to Stats