Association between electromagnetic field exposure and abortion in pregnant women living in Tehran

Int J Reprod Biomed · 2016 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 6757

Women exposed to higher measured EMF levels had a statistically significant increased likelihood of miscarriage by likelihood ratio test, but this association was not confirmed by the Wald test; overall miscarriage rate was 12.3%.

Study snapshot

PublicationInt J Reprod Biomed · 2016

Study typecohort

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Background: Health-related quality of life is affected by electromagnetic field exposure in each person everyday life. However, this is extremely controversial issue. Objective: Investigation of the associations between electromagnetic field exposure and miscarriage among women of Tehran. Materials and methods: In this longitudinal study, 462 pregnant women with gestational age <12 wks from seven main regions of Tehran city in Iran with similar social and cultural status were participated. Women were interviewed face-to face to collect data. Reproductive information was collected using medical file recorded in those hospitals the subjects had delivery. The measuring device measured electromagnetic waves, Narda safety test solutions with valid calibration date at the entrance door of their houses. Results: A significant likelihood of miscarriage in women who exposed to significant level of electromagnetic wave. However, this association was not confirmed by Wald test. Conclusion: What the Study Actually Found Design: Longitudinal study of 462 pregnant women in seven different districts of Tehran, Iran (all <12 weeks gestation at start). Exposure measurement: Researchers went to each woman’s home and measured actual electromagnetic field (EMF) levels with a calibrated professional meter (Narda Safety Test Solutions) right at the entrance door — not just self-reported phone use. Outcome: Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) before 14 weeks. Key Results: Women exposed to higher measured EMF levels had a statistically significant increased likelihood of miscarriage (likelihood ratio test: χ² = 6.96, p = 0.008). The association was positive, but when they ran the full Wald test it was no longer statistically significant (OR = 1.12, p = 0.447). Overall miscarriage rate in the study: 12.3% (56 out of 413 women who completed the study). Authors’ Own Conclusion (direct quote): “This study may not provide strong or consistent evidence that electromagnetic field exposure is associated or cause miscarriage. This issue may be due to small sample size in this study.” Why It Still Matters Even though the authors were cautious (small sample size), it is one of the few human studies that actually measured real environmental EMF levels (from broadcasting antennas, base stations, etc.) at people’s homes instead of relying only on self-reported phone use. It found a positive signal linking higher everyday EMF exposure to higher miscarriage risk. That’s why it’s still cited in reviews and by groups concerned about non-native EMFs during pregnancy. This pairs well with the larger 2025 Yazd cohort study (the one we talked about last time) that looked at cell-phone call duration and also found a clear dose-response with miscarriage. Effect: harmful

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 typecohort

Effect directionmixed

Populationpregnant women in Tehran, Iran, gestational age <12 weeks at enrollment

Sample size462

Exposuremeasured at home entrance door, representing everyday exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 30% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) before 14 weeks

Limitations

small sample size
inconsistent statistical significance between tests

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "environmental electromagnetic waves from broadcasting antennas, base stations, etc.",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "measured at home entrance door, representing everyday exposure"
  },
  "population": "pregnant women in Tehran, Iran, gestational age <12 weeks at enrollment",
  "sample_size": 462,
  "outcomes": [
    "spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) before 14 weeks"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Women exposed to higher measured EMF levels had a statistically significant increased likelihood of miscarriage by likelihood ratio test, but this association was not confirmed by the Wald test; overall miscarriage rate was 12.3%.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "small sample size",
    "inconsistent statistical significance between tests"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.3,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic field",
    "EMF",
    "miscarriage",
    "spontaneous abortion",
    "pregnancy",
    "cohort study",
    "environmental exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.3,
      "reason": "study of environmental EMF exposure in residential settings affecting pregnant women"
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.5,
      "reason": "addresses health effects of EMF exposure relevant to guidelines"
    },
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "involves EMF exposure from broadcasting antennas and base stations"
    }
  ]
}

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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: 27326421

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