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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Pregnancy protection program in a large chemical company: infant outcomes
Gunild M Frey1, M Gerald Ott, Peter Messerer
1Occupational Medical and Health Protection Department, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen, Germany. gunild.frey@basf.com
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to investigate reproductive outcomes in infants relative to maternal exposures in the chemical industry.
Methods:
Via questionnaires administered after the pregnancy announcement, end of pregnancy, and 1 year later, infant outcomes were documented for 1147 live births. Maternal exposure factors were evaluated relative to birth height and weight, sex ratio, Apgar score at 5 minutes, and major malformations.
Results:
Birth height and weight, sex ratio, and Apgar score did not differ by maternal work area or chemical hazard categories. Major malformations (3.1%) and organ-specific anomalies were consistent with the experience of a regional birth defects registry. Rates of malformation were marginally higher in infants born to women assigned to chemical versus office jobs.
Conclusions:
Infant outcomes to date have been consistent with comparable findings from population-based studies. Longer-term observation will be needed to assess trends for low-frequency outcomes and more specific maternal exposures.
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