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 (<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.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 03, 2012
Accepted:
December 27,
2011
Received in revised form:
November 7,
2011
Received:
August 19,
2011
Footnotes
This work was partially funded by contract no. 200-2001-08007 from the Centers for Disease Control/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
The authors report no conflict of interest.
Cite this article as: Lawson CC, Rocheleau CM, Whelan EA, et al. Occupational exposures among nurses and risk of spontaneous abortion. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2012;206:327.e1-8.
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Published by Elsevier Inc.
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- Discussion: ‘Occupational exposures and spontaneous abortion’ by Lawson et alAmerican Journal of Obstetrics & GynecologyVol. 206Issue 4
- PreviewIn the roundtable that follows, clinicians discuss a study published in this issue of the Journal in light of its methodology, relevance to practice, and implications for future research. Article discussed: Lawson CC, Rocheleau CM, Whelan EA, et al. Occupational exposures among nurses and risk of spontaneous abortion. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2012;206:327.e1-8.
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