Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Prenatal and postnatal exposure to cell phone use and behavioral problems in children epidem.

Published in: Epidemiology 2008; 19 (4): 523-529

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The association of cell phone use during pregnancy and during early childhood with behavioral problems in children was investigated in a cohort study in Denmark.

Further details

Behavioral problems in 7-year old children were assessed using the Strenghts and Difficulties Questionnaire. Prenatal exposure was defined as the use of a cellular phone by the mother during the pregnancy, postnatal exposure was defined as the current use of cell phones by the children.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation: (odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 no prenatal exposure
Group 2 prenatal exposure
Reference group 3 no postnatal exposure
Group 4 postnatal exposure
Reference group 5 no prenatal and postnatal exposure
Group 6 prenatal and postnatal exposure
Reference group 7 prenatal exposure, times spoken per day: 0 - 1
Group 8 prenatal exposure, times spoken per day: 2 - 3
Group 9 prenatal exposure, times spoken per day: ≥ 4
Reference group 10 prenatal exposure, percentage of time turned on: 0
Group 11 prenatal exposure, percentage of time turned on: < 50
Group 12 prenatal exposure, percentage of time turned on: 50 - 99
Group 13 prenatal exposure, percentage of time turned on: 100

Population

Study size

Type Value
Participants 13,159
Participation rate 65 %
Statistical analysis method: (adjustment: )

Results (acc. to author)

About 11 % of the children were prenatally and postnatally exposed to cell phones whereas nearly half of the children had neither prenatal nor postnatal exposure. About 90 % of the children were reported to have no behavioral problems.
Prenatal and postnatal exposure to cell phones was associated with overall behavioral problems in children (OR 1.80; CI 1.45-2.23). The authors concluded that these results should be interpreted with caution. The observed association are not necessarily causal and may be due to factors not investigated in this study.

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