Epidemiological study (observational study)

Maternal exposure to magnetic fields from high-voltage power lines and the risk of birth defects epidem.

By: Malagoli C, Crespi CM, Rodolfi R, Signorelli C, Poli M, Zanichelli P, Fabbi S, Teggi S, Garavelli L, Astolfi G, Calzolari E, Lucenti C, Vinceti M

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2012; 33 (5): 405-409

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Aim of study (acc. to author)

A case-control study was conducted in Italy to investigate whether maternal exposure to magnetic fields from high-voltage power lines during early pregnancy increased the risk of congenital anomalies in the offspring.

Further details

A mother was classified as exposed if her residence during early pregnancy was located in a corridor with magnetic field exposure ≥ 0.1 µT.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

reproductive effects and pregnancy outcomes: birth defects

Type of risk estimation:

prevalence

(relative risk (RR))

Exposure

Assessment

calculation: magnetic field intensity based on distance of residence to power line; geocoding of maternal residence in the first trimester of pregnancy

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	magnetic field exposure: < 0.1 µT
Group 2	magnetic field exposure: ≥ 0.1 µT
Group 3	magnetic field exposure: ≥ 0.2 µT
Group 4	magnetic field exposure: ≥ 0.4 µT

Population

Group:
- women
- children in utero
- newborns
Observation period: 1998 - 2006
Study location: Italy (municipality of Reggio Emilia)

Case group

Characteristics: birth defects
Data source: registry of congenital anomalies, Emilia-Romagna Regional Health Service

Control group

Selection:
- hospital-based
Matching:
- maternal age, year of delivery or abortion, hospital

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Eligible	228	228

Statistical analysis method:

conditional logistic regression

(adjustment:

education

)

Results (acc. to author)

Overall, 1 case and 5 control mothers had resided in areas with magnetic field intensity ≥ 0.1 µT during the first trimester of pregnancy.
No increased risk was observed for maternal exposure to magnetic fields from high-voltage power lines during early pregnancy and the risk of congenital anomalies in the offspring (RR 0.2; CI: 0.0-2.0).
The authors conclude that the results overall do not provide support for major effects of a teratogenic risk due to exposure to magnetic fields during early pregnancy.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The results should be interpreted with caution due to the low number of exposed mothers.

Study funded by

Associazione Sostegno Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (ASEOP) ONLUS, Italy
Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL) di Reggio Emilia (Local Health Unit of Reggio Emilia), Italy
Department of the Environment of Reggio Emilia Municipality, Italy
Fondazione Pietro Manodori (Pietro Manodori Foundation), Italy

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