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

J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc · 2024 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 146

Among 1495 women, delivering an SGA baby was significantly more frequent in women using phones with higher SAR values (p=0.001). ROC analysis suggested a SAR cut-off of 1.23 W/kg (sensitivity 69.3%, specificity 73.0%, AUC 0.685; 95% CI 0.643–0.726). No correl…

Study snapshot

PublicationJ Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc · 2024
Study typecohort
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Evaluation of neonatal outcomes according to the specific absorption rate values of phones used during pregnancy Büyükeren M, Karanfil Yaman F. Evaluation of neonatal outcomes according to the specific absorption rate values of phones used during pregnancy. J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2024 Mar 6;25(1):7-12. doi: 10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2023.2022-10-1. Abstract Objective: The aim was to compare neonatal outcomes according to cell phone specific absorption rate (SAR) levels and daily time spent on cell phones by pregnant women. Material and Methods: Women who gave birth at Konya City Hospital between September 2020 and February 2021 were included in this retrospective study. Gestational ages, birth weight, birth length, head circumference, sex, 5-minute APGAR scores, neonate postpartum resuscitation requirement, delivery type, the model of phone used by the pregnant women, and the average time spent on the phone during a day were recorded. To determine the relation between the SAR values of the phones used and delivering a small for gestational age (SGA) baby, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed. Results: In total 1495 pregnant women were included. The rate of delivering a SGA fetus was significantly higher in women who used phones with higher SAR values (p=0.001). The cut-off value for the SAR level was 1.23 W/kg with 69.3% sensitivity and 73.0% specificity (area under the curve: 0.685; 95% confidence interval: 0.643-0.726). No correlation was found between time spent on the phone and SGA birth rate. Although both phone SAR values and time spent on the phone were higher in the symmetrical SGA group compared to the asymmetrical SGA group, the difference was not significant (p>0.05). Although the women who had preterm delivery had higher phone SAR values and had spent more time on the phone compared to those who had term deliveries, the difference was again not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: As the SAR values of cell phones used during pregnancy increased, there was a trend towards delivering a SGA baby. Open access paper: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecohort
Effect directionmixed
PopulationPregnant women who gave birth at Konya City Hospital (Sep 2020–Feb 2021)
Sample size1495
Exposureaverage daily time spent on the phone (self-reported/recorded)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Among 1495 women, delivering an SGA baby was significantly more frequent in women using phones with higher SAR values (p=0.001). ROC analysis suggested a SAR cut-off of 1.23 W/kg (sensitivity 69.3%, specificity 73.0%, AUC 0.685; 95% CI 0.643–0.726). No correlation was found between daily time spent on the phone and SGA birth rate; differences in SAR/time for symmetrical vs asymmetrical SGA and for preterm vs term deliveries were not significant (p>0.05).

Outcomes measured

  • Small for gestational age (SGA) birth
  • Birth weight
  • Birth length
  • Head circumference
  • Sex
  • 5-minute APGAR score
  • Neonate postpartum resuscitation requirement
  • Delivery type
  • Preterm vs term delivery
  • Symmetrical vs asymmetrical SGA

Limitations

  • Retrospective design
  • Single-hospital sample (Konya City Hospital)
  • Exposure characterization limited to phone model SAR values and reported/recorded daily phone time; no direct RF exposure measurements reported
  • Potential confounding not described in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "average daily time spent on the phone (self-reported/recorded)"
  },
  "population": "Pregnant women who gave birth at Konya City Hospital (Sep 2020–Feb 2021)",
  "sample_size": 1495,
  "outcomes": [
    "Small for gestational age (SGA) birth",
    "Birth weight",
    "Birth length",
    "Head circumference",
    "Sex",
    "5-minute APGAR score",
    "Neonate postpartum resuscitation requirement",
    "Delivery type",
    "Preterm vs term delivery",
    "Symmetrical vs asymmetrical SGA"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Among 1495 women, delivering an SGA baby was significantly more frequent in women using phones with higher SAR values (p=0.001). ROC analysis suggested a SAR cut-off of 1.23 W/kg (sensitivity 69.3%, specificity 73.0%, AUC 0.685; 95% CI 0.643–0.726). No correlation was found between daily time spent on the phone and SGA birth rate; differences in SAR/time for symmetrical vs asymmetrical SGA and for preterm vs term deliveries were not significant (p>0.05).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Retrospective design",
    "Single-hospital sample (Konya City Hospital)",
    "Exposure characterization limited to phone model SAR values and reported/recorded daily phone time; no direct RF exposure measurements reported",
    "Potential confounding not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pregnancy",
    "neonatal outcomes",
    "small for gestational age",
    "SGA",
    "mobile phone",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "preterm delivery",
    "APGAR"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones-pregnancy",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Assesses neonatal outcomes in relation to mobile phone SAR and phone use during pregnancy."
    }
  ]
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2023.2022-10-1
PubMed: Not supplied

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