RETRACTED: Impacts of smartphone 1 radiation on pregnancy: A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all aspects of people’s lives, with many tasks and services now being delivered online in the aim of reducing contact and preventing further transmission of the disease. This has resulted in the increase in the use of portable electronic devices (i.e., mobile phones, smartphones, laptops), which emit different frequencies of electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation. However, the evidence on the harmful impacts of EMF radiation exposure on the human body, particularly on the abdomen of the female body during pregnancy, is scarce. Further, the related studies in the literature have yet to be systematically reviewed. If unmanaged, the absorption of EMF radiation by the maternal abdomen during pregnancy is associated with serious birth and infant outcomes. Purpose This study aimed to systematically review the published studies on the direct effects of EMF radiation emitted from mobile phones on pregnancy, birth, and infant outcomes. Methods After a systematic search using the PRISMA guidelines, a total of 18 articles were retrieved from 5 databases. Studies which addressed the negative outcomes of EMF radiation exposure on mothers, adults, and children's health were included. The research articles were then sorted based on whether their findings were related to the impacts of EMF on physiological or pregnancy outcomes. Results The findings of this review showed that EMF radiation exposure is associated with hormonal, thermal, and cardiovascular changes among adults. However, the reviewed studies did not consider the impacts of EMF radiation exposure on pregnancy outcomes specifically, which makes it difficult to draw conclusions from this review. Only four of the reviewed studies were conducted among pregnant women. These studies reported that EMF radiation exposure during pregnancy is associated with miscarriages and fluctuations in the fetal temperature and heart rate variability, as well as infant anthropometric measures. Conclusions More research should be conducted to identify the specific impacts of EMF radiation exposure on pregnancy, birth, and infant outcomes. Healthcare providers and researchers are recommended to collaborate to improve public health through public education and updated organizational policies to limit these environmental risks by encouraging the use of safe technologies.

Response to a letter to the editor, "Impact of smartphone radiation on pregnancy: A systematic review"

“…I would like to thank the editor for having the chance to respond to the letter of Mate et al. (2022) regarding the published paper by Eljarrah and Rababa (2022) titled "Impact of smartphone radiation on pregnancy: A systematic review." This paper offers responses to each comment for that letter.…”

“…The main aim of Eljarrah and Rababa's (2022) paper is to systematically review published studies on the "direct effects" of mobile phones' electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation on pregnancy, birth, and infant outcomes, focusing on "smartphones." The conclusion showed inconclusive evidence to assess the specific impacts of EMF radiation exposure on pregnancy, birth, and infant outcomes.…”

“…The reviewed studies included complex contextual factors associated with EMF. Eljarrah and Rababa (2022) explicitly showed these contextual factors under the Result subheading in Tables 2 and 3 (i.e., duration of EMF, intensity of EMF, frequency of EMF, type of device, or source of EMF; Eljarrah and Rababa, 2022 , p. 4–5). These tables also have 1) Country, 2) Study Limitations, and 3) Rating subheadings, presenting the location, limitations, and critical appraisal results for each study, respectively ( Eljarrah and Rababa, 2022 , p. 4–5).…”

“… Eljarrah and Rababa (2022) explicitly showed these contextual factors under the Result subheading in Tables 2 and 3 (i.e., duration of EMF, intensity of EMF, frequency of EMF, type of device, or source of EMF; Eljarrah and Rababa, 2022 , p. 4–5). These tables also have 1) Country, 2) Study Limitations, and 3) Rating subheadings, presenting the location, limitations, and critical appraisal results for each study, respectively ( Eljarrah and Rababa, 2022 , p. 4–5). Under these tables' Design and Sample subheading, the design and characteristics of the samples (i.e., age, gender, gestational age) are described ( Eljarrah and Rababa, 2022 , p. 4–5).…”

“…These tables also have 1) Country, 2) Study Limitations, and 3) Rating subheadings, presenting the location, limitations, and critical appraisal results for each study, respectively ( Eljarrah and Rababa, 2022 , p. 4–5). Under these tables' Design and Sample subheading, the design and characteristics of the samples (i.e., age, gender, gestational age) are described ( Eljarrah and Rababa, 2022 , p. 4–5).…”