Characteristics of maternal employment during pregnancy: effects on low birthweight.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although maternal employment is considered a risk factor for low birthweight (LBW), the manner in which employment might affect birthweight is poorly understood. In this analysis, selected characteristics of employment during pregnancy were examined for effects on pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: Work characteristics included the number of hours per week, physical activities, and environmental conditions. The outcomes of interest were fetal growth retardation (less than 2500 grams at term) and preterm delivery (less than 37 weeks). The study population consisted of 2711 non-Black, married mothers who participated in the 1980 National Natality Survey (NNS). The NNS data were merged with data from the 1977 revision of The Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) from which measures of occupational physical activities and environmental exposures were obtained. Logistic regression was used in the analysis. RESULTS: Those who worked 40 or more hours per week were more likely than women who worked fewer hours to have a low birthweight delivery at greater than or equal to 37 weeks. No physical or environmental characterics of work were associated with low birthweight or preterm delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Non-Black married American women may face a risk of delivering low-birthweight babies at or near term only if they work 40 or more hours each week. However, the lack of risk associated with other characteristics of work may be a function of measurement error in the DOT data source or of low levels of exposure in the analysis population.

Effects of individual and social factors on preterm birth and low birth weight: empirical evidence from regional data in Italy

“…On the other hand, some studies have stressed the importance of socioeconomic conditions affecting the perinatal period in adverse medical outcomes at birth. The association between women who work during pregnancy and outcomes, in terms of birth weight, have been described by several authors (see, among others, Teitelman et al 1990;Peoples-Sheps et al 1991;Draper et al 1999;Horbar et al 2002). Evidence shows that rates of low birth weight are higher among manual workers than non-manual workers.…”

Noise: A Hazard for the Fetus and Newborn

“…Two other studies were inconclusive. 15,[31][32][33] Decreased birth weight has also been associated with noise exposure. In a retrospective Danish study, the birth weights of infants born in the hospital to women aged 20 to 34 years were significantly less (69 g, P ϭ .03) if the mother resided in an area where the DNL of aircraft noise exceeded 60 to 65 dB.…”

Impact of Noise and Air Pollution on Pregnancy Outcomes

“…Occupational noise exposure has been associated with gestational duration in four studies [15][16][17][18] and with fetal growth in one study, 19 whereas other studies have been less conclusive. [20][21][22][23] little is known about the effects of residential noise on pregnancy outcomes. limited evidence indicates a possible effect of residential aircraft noise exposure on gestational duration 24 and birth weight, 25 but no associations have been observed between residential exposure to traffic noise and birth weight.…”