RF Safe

Mobile phone use and health symptoms in children.

Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi · 2015 · Harm · Low evidence

← Research stream
HarmLow evidencePaper 4674

In a nationwide cross-sectional CATI survey (2009), mobile phone use in the past month was associated with higher adjusted odds of headaches/migraine (AOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.12–1.81) and skin itches (AOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.47–2.29). Regular mobile phone users were al…

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi · 2015
Study typecross_sectional
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To investigate the mobile phone (MP) use for talking in relation to health symptoms among 2042 children aged 11-15 years in Taiwan. METHODS: A nationwide, cross-sectional study, using the computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) technique, was conducted in 2009 to collect information on children's utilization of MPs and the perceived health symptoms reported by their parents. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MP use in the past month was estimated at 63.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 61.1-65.3%]. MP use was associated with a significantly increased adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for headaches and migraine (1.42, 95% CI = 1.12-1.81) and skin itches (1.84, 95% CI = 1.47-2.29). Children who regularly used MPs were also considered to have a health status worse than it was 1 year ago (β = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.17-0.37). CONCLUSION: Although the cross-sectional design precludes the causal inference for the observed association, our study tended to suggest a need for more cautious use of MPs in children, because children are expected to experience a longer lifetime exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from MPs.

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 typecross_sectional
Effect directionharm
PopulationChildren aged 11–15 years in Taiwan (parent-reported symptoms)
Sample size2042
ExposureRF · past month (use for talking); regular use also assessed
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a nationwide cross-sectional CATI survey (2009), mobile phone use in the past month was associated with higher adjusted odds of headaches/migraine (AOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.12–1.81) and skin itches (AOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.47–2.29). Regular mobile phone users were also rated as having worse health status than 1 year ago (β 0.27, 95% CI 0.17–0.37).

Outcomes measured

  • Headaches and migraine
  • Skin itches
  • Perceived health status compared with 1 year ago

Limitations

  • Cross-sectional design precludes causal inference
  • Exposure based on reported mobile phone use (talking) rather than measured RF-EMF
  • Health symptoms were perceived/reported by parents (self-report/recall possible)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "past month (use for talking); regular use also assessed"
  },
  "population": "Children aged 11–15 years in Taiwan (parent-reported symptoms)",
  "sample_size": 2042,
  "outcomes": [
    "Headaches and migraine",
    "Skin itches",
    "Perceived health status compared with 1 year ago"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a nationwide cross-sectional CATI survey (2009), mobile phone use in the past month was associated with higher adjusted odds of headaches/migraine (AOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.12–1.81) and skin itches (AOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.47–2.29). Regular mobile phone users were also rated as having worse health status than 1 year ago (β 0.27, 95% CI 0.17–0.37).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional design precludes causal inference",
    "Exposure based on reported mobile phone use (talking) rather than measured RF-EMF",
    "Health symptoms were perceived/reported by parents (self-report/recall possible)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mobile phone",
    "children",
    "adolescents",
    "RF-EMF",
    "radiofrequency",
    "cross-sectional",
    "CATI",
    "headache",
    "migraine",
    "skin itch",
    "self-reported symptoms",
    "Taiwan"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.1016/j.jfma.2014.07.002
PubMed: 25115529

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library