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Pregnancy loss and work schedule during pregnancy
C Infante-Rivard1, M David, R Gauthier
1School of Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Shift work during pregnancy is linked to increased pregnancy loss. Evening shift work showed a fourfold higher risk compared to day shifts, highlighting potential occupational hazards for expectant mothers.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Reproductive Epidemiology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Shift work is prevalent and linked to various health issues.
- The association between shift work and pregnancy loss remains understudied.
- Understanding occupational risks during pregnancy is crucial for maternal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between different shift work schedules during pregnancy and the risk of pregnancy loss.
- To quantify the risk associated with fixed evening and night work schedules compared to fixed day schedules.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study comparing 331 women with pregnancy loss to 993 matched pregnant controls.
- Work schedules during pregnancy were assessed for all participants.
- Statistical analysis using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) was performed.
Main Results:
- Women working fixed evening shifts had a significantly higher risk of pregnancy loss (OR = 4.17; 95% CI = 2.19-7.92).
- A more than twofold increased risk of pregnancy loss was observed for women on fixed night schedules (OR = 2.68; 95% CI = 0.53-13.43).
- Fixed day schedules served as the reference group for comparison.
Conclusions:
- Fixed evening and night shift work schedules during pregnancy are associated with an elevated risk of pregnancy loss.
- These findings suggest that occupational shift work may pose a risk to pregnancy outcomes.
- Further research and potential workplace interventions are warranted to protect pregnant workers.