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Effects of microwave exposure in utero on embryonal, fetal and postnatal development of mice.

Biology of the neonate · 1983 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5963

Daily gestational exposure to 2,450 MHz microwaves at 40 mW/cm2 (thermal) significantly inhibited embryonal and fetal development and increased intrafetal bleedings, resorptions, and fetal deaths. Pups of dams exposed for the whole gestation at thermal doses …

Study snapshot

PublicationBiology of the neonate · 1983
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Pregnant Swiss mice were repetitively exposed during various periods of gestation to 2,450 MHz continuous wave microwave radiation. Irradiations were conducted daily in an anechoic chamber at a power density of 10 (subthermal) or 40 mW/cm2 (thermal) for 2 h/day, 7 sessions/week. Thermal exposures to microwaves resulted in significant inhibition of the embryonal and fetal development in utero, accompanied by an increased incidence of intrafetal bleedings, resorptions and deaths of fetuses. Moreover, nonspecific resistance to viral and bacterial infections was markedly depressed in pups of dams irradiated for the whole period of gestation with thermal doses of microwaves. No such effects were found following exposure of pregnant mice to 10 mW/cm2 power density of radiation. The results suggest that the observed effects of microwave exposure in the course of pregnancy are thermal in nature.

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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 typeanimal
Effect directionmixed
PopulationPregnant Swiss mice and their offspring (pups)
Sample sizeNot supplied
Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz · 2 h/day, 7 sessions/week; during various periods of gestation (including whole gestation in some groups)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Daily gestational exposure to 2,450 MHz microwaves at 40 mW/cm2 (thermal) significantly inhibited embryonal and fetal development and increased intrafetal bleedings, resorptions, and fetal deaths. Pups of dams exposed for the whole gestation at thermal doses showed markedly depressed nonspecific resistance to viral and bacterial infections; no such effects were found at 10 mW/cm2 (subthermal).

Outcomes measured

  • Embryonal development in utero
  • Fetal development in utero
  • Intrafetal bleedings
  • Resorptions
  • Fetal deaths
  • Postnatal nonspecific resistance to viral infections
  • Postnatal nonspecific resistance to bacterial infections

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Exposure metric reported as power density; SAR not provided
  • Details on randomization/blinding and outcome assessment methods not provided in abstract
  • Specific gestational windows and group allocation not fully described in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 h/day, 7 sessions/week; during various periods of gestation (including whole gestation in some groups)"
  },
  "population": "Pregnant Swiss mice and their offspring (pups)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Embryonal development in utero",
    "Fetal development in utero",
    "Intrafetal bleedings",
    "Resorptions",
    "Fetal deaths",
    "Postnatal nonspecific resistance to viral infections",
    "Postnatal nonspecific resistance to bacterial infections"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Daily gestational exposure to 2,450 MHz microwaves at 40 mW/cm2 (thermal) significantly inhibited embryonal and fetal development and increased intrafetal bleedings, resorptions, and fetal deaths. Pups of dams exposed for the whole gestation at thermal doses showed markedly depressed nonspecific resistance to viral and bacterial infections; no such effects were found at 10 mW/cm2 (subthermal).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure metric reported as power density; SAR not provided",
    "Details on randomization/blinding and outcome assessment methods not provided in abstract",
    "Specific gestational windows and group allocation not fully described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave",
    "in utero exposure",
    "gestation",
    "pregnancy",
    "mice",
    "2450 MHz",
    "power density",
    "thermal effects",
    "developmental toxicity",
    "fetal resorption",
    "fetal death",
    "immune resistance",
    "infection susceptibility"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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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: 10.1159/000241749
PubMed: 6652148

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