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Risk factors of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT): Exposure to mobile phones during pregnancy.

Turkish journal of medical sciences · 2024 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 5758

Mothers of CAKUT cases reported longer daily call time than controls (p=0.001). Higher effective SAR values (SAR × call time) were associated with increased CAKUT risk (p=0.03), while phone proximity to the body when not in use was not a risk factor. Excess w…

Study snapshot

PublicationTurkish journal of medical sciences · 2024
Study typecase_control
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract(CAKUT) are the leading causes of childhood chronic kidney disease (CKD). The etiology of most of the cases is thought to be multifactorial. In this study, risk factors for CAKUT and the effect of mobile phone-related electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure during pregnancy were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven cases and 57 healthy controls under 2 years of age were included and their mothers were subjected to a questionnaire. Groups were compared for parents' demographics, pregestational (chronic disease, body mass index, use of the folic acid supplements) and antenatal variables (gestational disease, weight gain during pregnancy,) and exposures during pregnancy. To assess mobile phone-related radiation exposure, all participants were asked about their daily call time, the proximity of the phone when not in use, and the models of their mobile phones. The specific absorption rate (SAR) of the mobile phones and the effective SAR value (SAR × call time) as an indicator of EMF exposure were recorded. RESULTS: Excess weight gain according to BMI during pregnancy was related to an increased risk of CAKUT (p=0.012). Folic acid use before pregnancy was protective for CAKUT (p = 0.028). The call time of mothers of the CAKUT group was significantly longer than the control (p = 0.001). An association was observed between higher effective SAR values and increased risk of CAKUT (p = 0.03). However the proximity of the mobile phone to the mother's body when not in use was not found as a risk factor. CONCLUSION: The etiology of CAKUT is multifactorial. Our results suggest that prolonged phone call and higher EMF exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of CAKUT in the offspring.

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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
PopulationChildren under 2 years of age (57 CAKUT cases, 57 healthy controls) and their mothers (questionnaire during/around pregnancy)
Sample size114
ExposureRF · During pregnancy; daily call time assessed (duration not quantified in abstract)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Mothers of CAKUT cases reported longer daily call time than controls (p=0.001). Higher effective SAR values (SAR × call time) were associated with increased CAKUT risk (p=0.03), while phone proximity to the body when not in use was not a risk factor. Excess weight gain during pregnancy increased risk (p=0.012) and pre-pregnancy folic acid use was protective (p=0.028).

Outcomes measured

  • Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) risk in offspring
  • Associations with maternal mobile phone call time during pregnancy
  • Associations with mobile phone SAR and effective SAR (SAR × call time) during pregnancy
  • Other risk factors: gestational weight gain; pre-pregnancy folic acid use; phone proximity when not in use

Limitations

  • Exposure assessment based on maternal questionnaire (call time, proximity, phone model)
  • No RF frequency information reported in abstract
  • Specific SAR values and call-time quantities not provided in abstract
  • Potential confounding from other measured/unmeasured maternal and antenatal factors (multifactorial etiology noted)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "case_control",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "During pregnancy; daily call time assessed (duration not quantified in abstract)"
  },
  "population": "Children under 2 years of age (57 CAKUT cases, 57 healthy controls) and their mothers (questionnaire during/around pregnancy)",
  "sample_size": 114,
  "outcomes": [
    "Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) risk in offspring",
    "Associations with maternal mobile phone call time during pregnancy",
    "Associations with mobile phone SAR and effective SAR (SAR × call time) during pregnancy",
    "Other risk factors: gestational weight gain; pre-pregnancy folic acid use; phone proximity when not in use"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Mothers of CAKUT cases reported longer daily call time than controls (p=0.001). Higher effective SAR values (SAR × call time) were associated with increased CAKUT risk (p=0.03), while phone proximity to the body when not in use was not a risk factor. Excess weight gain during pregnancy increased risk (p=0.012) and pre-pregnancy folic acid use was protective (p=0.028).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure assessment based on maternal questionnaire (call time, proximity, phone model)",
    "No RF frequency information reported in abstract",
    "Specific SAR values and call-time quantities not provided in abstract",
    "Potential confounding from other measured/unmeasured maternal and antenatal factors (multifactorial etiology noted)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "CAKUT",
    "congenital anomalies",
    "kidney",
    "urinary tract",
    "pregnancy",
    "mobile phone",
    "electromagnetic field",
    "RF exposure",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "case-control"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "rf-mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study evaluates mobile phone-related EMF exposure (call time, SAR/effective SAR) during pregnancy and CAKUT risk."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.55730/1300-0144.5790
PubMed: 38812630

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