The Risk of Congenital Malformations and Other Neonatal and Maternal Health Outcomes among Licensed Cosmetologists

Abstract

This study sought to determine if cosmetologists in New York State (NYS) have a higher risk of complications of labor/delivery or congenital malformations and poor neonatal health indicators among their offspring compared with Realtors and the general population. This retrospective cohort study matched licensing records for cosmetologists and realtors to birth records and the NYS Congenital Malformations Registry from 1997 to 2003. A random sample of NYS birth certificates, frequency matched to cosmetologists on year of child's birth, mother's ethnicity, and education, was also formed. Outcomes include malformations of each major organ system, neonatal health indicators, and complications of labor/delivery. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), controlling for potential confounders. Compared with Realtors, cosmetologists had an increased risk of several maternal and neonatal health indicators, including postpartum hemorrhage (OR = 2.12; 95% CI 1.26, 3.58), failure to progress (OR = 1.31; 95% CI 1.12, 1.54), and newborn intubation (OR = 2.34; 95% CI 1.21, 4.51), among others. We did not observe an increased risk of congenital malformations among cosmetologists' offspring. Working as a cosmetologist was positively associated with several adverse maternal perinatal and neonatal health indicators but was not associated with congenital malformations in this study. These results are useful for hypothesis generating.

Association of hairdressing with cancer and reproductive diseases: A systematic review

“…However, in one case–control study from the United States of America (USA) a borderline significance was found for congenital malformations (ventricular septal defect in newborns), 38 based on 2 cases of ventricular septal defect (VSD) in newborns of 26 fathers employed in hairdressing (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0–7.5). Similarly, some indices of poor neonatal or maternal health were found to be associated with maternal occupation as a hairdresser in one cohort study from the USA 39 . Specifically, newborns of mothers employed as hairdressers had significantly higher odds in comparison with control group of mothers employed as real‐estate agents for low 1‐min Apgar score (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration score; OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.09–1.63), low 5‐min Apgar score (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.04–3.94), pregnancy‐induced hypertension (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.01–1.76), slowed labor with delayed delivery (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.12–1.54), precipitous labor (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.07–2.15), and postpartum hemorrhage (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.26–3.58).…”

“…To determine if hairdressing occupation is still significantly associated with adverse effects on reproduction, studies which included effects diagnosed from 1995 onward were analyzed (Table 3, N = 6) 38–43 . In summary, none of six studies with various designs (case–control, retrospective cohort, prospective cohort, and cross‐sectional) investigating outcomes including menstrual disorders, congenital malformations, fetal loss, small‐for‐gestational age children, and preterm delivery showed a significantly increased risk in hairdressers.…”

“…In addition, the association was of borderline statistical significance, most probably due to the low number of cases which were identified through a state birth defect surveillance system. In other identified studies conducted in EU countries and the USA, birth defects were not significantly associated with the hairdressing trade, 39,41,43 as well as adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes such as fetal loss, preterm‐infant and small‐for gestational age, 43 female infertility 40 or menstrual disorders 42 . However, Herdt‐Losavio et al (2009) found significant associations of several poor neonatal health indicators and maternal perinatal adverse events with the hairdressing occupation of mothers in comparison to real‐estate agents and brokers, with adjustment for factors associated with the mother's health, 39 but unfortunately not with occupational conditions such as prolonged standing, physical work, and heat exposure, which are known risk factors for reproductive outcomes 48 .…”

“…To determine if hairdressing occupation is still significantly associated with adverse effects on reproduction, studies which included effects diagnosed from 1995 onward were analyzed (Table 3, N = 6). [38][39][40][41][42][43] In summary, none of six studies with various designs (casecontrol, retrospective cohort, prospective cohort, and cross-sectional) investigating outcomes including menstrual disorders, congenital malformations, fetal loss, small-for-gestational age children, and preterm delivery showed a significantly increased risk in hairdressers. However, in one case-control study from the United States of America (USA) a borderline significance was found for congenital malformations (ventricular septal defect in newborns), 38 based on 2 cases of ventricular septal defect (VSD) in newborns of 26 fathers employed in hairdressing (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0-7.5).…”

Fertility disorders and pregnancy complications in hairdressers - a systematic review

“…Some studies have reported increases in the risks of spontaneous abortions [24], SGA [38] and low birth weights of children [39], as well as orofacial clefts [13]. Other studies did not find any association between occupational exposure among cosmetologists and menstrual disorders [40], infertility [41], congenital malformations [42], and other adverse pregnancy outcomes [43]. …”