Authors
Lawson-CC; Rocheleau-CM; Whelan-EA; Lividoti Hibert-EN; Grajewski-B; Spiegelman-D; Rich-Edwards-JW
Source
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2012 Apr; 206(4):327.e1-327.e8
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We investigated self-reported occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs, anesthetic gases, antiviral drugs, sterilizing agents (disinfectants), and X-rays and the risk of spontaneous abortion in US nurses. STUDY DESIGN: Pregnancy outcome and occupational exposures were collected retrospectively from 8461 participants of the Nurses’ Health Study II. Of these, 7482 were eligible for analysis using logistic regression. RESULTS: Participants reported 6707 live births, and 775 (10%) spontaneous abortions (less than 20 weeks). After adjusting for age, parity, shift work, and hours worked, antineoplastic drug exposure was associated with a 2-fold increased risk of spontaneous abortion, particularly with early spontaneous abortion before the 12th week, and 3.5-fold increased risk among nulliparous women. Exposure to sterilizing agents was associated with a 2-fold increased risk of late spontaneous abortion (12-20 weeks), but not with early spontaneous abortion. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that certain occupational exposures common to nurses are related to risks of spontaneous abortion.
Keywords
Biohazards; Drugs; Health-care-personnel; Mathematical-models; Pregnancy; Reproductive-effects; Reproductive-hazards; Reproductive-system; Reproductive-system-disorders; Risk-analysis; Work-areas; Worker-health; Work-operations; Antineoplastic-agents; Anesthetics; Gases; Exposure-assessment; Disinfectants; Women; Nurses;
Author Keywords: antineoplastic agents; health personnel; occupational exposure; pregnancy
Contact
Christina C. Lawson, PhD, CDC/NIOSH, 4676 Columbia Parkway, R-15, Cincinnati, OH 45226
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
clawson@cdc.gov
Priority Area
Healthcare and Social Assistance
Source Name
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology