Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields during pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion: a case-control study.

Journal of research in health sciences · 2013 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4573

Measured in-home extremely low frequency electromagnetic field magnitude differed significantly between women with unexplained spontaneous abortion <14 weeks and matched pregnant controls >14 weeks (P<0.001). The authors conclude ELF-EMF exposure is probably …

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of research in health sciences · 2013

Study typecase_control

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields is increasingly common, but the potential influence on pregnant women has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS: In this case-control study, 58 women who had an unexplained spontaneous abortion at < 14 weeks gestation and 58 matched pregnant women >14 weeks gestation were enrolled in 2012. The women completed the questionnaire, which was used to collect data about socioeconomic and obstetric characteristics, medical and reproductive histories. Then, to evaluate the extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields , we determined the magnitude of electromagnetic fields in the participants' houses by an exposure level tester (3D EMF tester/ Model: ELF-828; Taiwan).The instrument covers a limited frequency range (30 HZ to 3 KHZ). RESULTS: The magnitude of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in the participants' houses was significantly different between the two groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure is probably related to early spontaneous abortions.

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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 typecase_control

Effect directionharm

PopulationPregnant women (cases: unexplained spontaneous abortion <14 weeks gestation; controls: matched pregnant women >14 weeks gestation)

Sample size116

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Spontaneous abortion (early, <14 weeks gestation)

Limitations

Case-control design (cannot establish causality)
Exposure assessment limited to measured in-home ELF field magnitude; other exposure sources not described
Instrument frequency range limited to 30 Hz to 3 kHz
Exposure metric details (e.g., timing during pregnancy, measurement duration, units) not reported in abstract
Potential confounding not described in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "case_control",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "residential (in-home)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Pregnant women (cases: unexplained spontaneous abortion <14 weeks gestation; controls: matched pregnant women >14 weeks gestation)",
  "sample_size": 116,
  "outcomes": [
    "Spontaneous abortion (early, <14 weeks gestation)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Measured in-home extremely low frequency electromagnetic field magnitude differed significantly between women with unexplained spontaneous abortion <14 weeks and matched pregnant controls >14 weeks (P<0.001). The authors conclude ELF-EMF exposure is probably related to early spontaneous abortions.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Case-control design (cannot establish causality)",
    "Exposure assessment limited to measured in-home ELF field magnitude; other exposure sources not described",
    "Instrument frequency range limited to 30 Hz to 3 kHz",
    "Exposure metric details (e.g., timing during pregnancy, measurement duration, units) not reported in abstract",
    "Potential confounding not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "pregnancy",
    "spontaneous abortion",
    "miscarriage",
    "residential exposure",
    "case-control"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-pregnancy",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Examines ELF electromagnetic field exposure during pregnancy and risk of spontaneous abortion."
    }
  ]
}

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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: Not supplied
PubMed: 24077469

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