Maternal exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields: Association with time to pregnancy and foetal growth

A pilot study on the reproductive risks of maternal exposure to magnetic fields from electronic article surveillance systems

“…However, it is likely that these low frequency MFs are mostly ELF fields, as they originate from various electrical equipment located near the cashier's seat, producing mainly power frequency (50 Hz) fields, but we cannot exclude contribution by the harmonics of 50 Hz. The measured ELF MF levels in the smaller stores were between 0.17 µT and 0.48 µT, which is higher than the average background level of 0.1 µT or less in Finnish residences (Ilonen et al 2008;Okokon et al 2014, Eskelinen et al 2016. There is suggestive evidence that high ELF MF levels may be associated with increased risk of miscarriage (Lindbohm et al 1992;Juutilainen et al 1993;Huuskonen et al 1998;Juutilainen 2003;Wang et al 2013;Lewis et al 2016) but very little evidence of increased risk of any other reproductive outcomes (Huuskonen et al 1998;Juutilainen 2003;Lewis et al 2016;Eskelinen et al 2016).…”

Maternal cumulative exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields, prematurity and small for gestational age: a pooled analysis of two birth cohorts

“…Several epidemiological case–control and cohort studies have examined the risk of prematurity or SGA with exposure to ELF-EMF. Results are mostly in favour of a lack of association with occupational exposure, assessed by time of use of video display terminals (VDTs) reported by mothers,8–12 and with residential exposure, assessed by proximity to high-voltage power lines,13 by the mothers’ declaration of electrically heated bed use during pregnancy14 or by spot measurements at home 14 15. In 2014, a UK population-based cohort study using a registry database (the North Western Perinatal Survey) reported a 116 g reduction in the average birth weight (95% CI −224 to −7 g) in newborns whose mothers lived 50 metres or less from high-voltage underground cables, overhead power lines and electricity substations or towers during pregnancy in comparison with newborns of mothers who lived further than 50 metres from these sources 16.…”

May electromagnetic field exposure during pregnancy have a negative effect on anthropometric measurements of the newborn?

“…Several previous studies have investigated exposure to low frequency EMF in pregnancy, but the majority of these have focused on the neurobiological development of the baby 14 , effects on the baby's hematopoietic tissues and reproductive organs 15,16 . We encountered relatively few studies investigating the effects of maternal low frequency EMF exposure due to electromagnetic devices on fetal development 17,18 .…”