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. 2012 Apr;206(4):327.e1-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2011.12.030. Epub 2011 Dec 30.

Occupational exposures among nurses and risk of spontaneous abortion

Christina C Lawson  1 , Carissa M Rocheleau, Elizabeth A Whelan, Eileen N Lividoti Hibert, Barbara Grajewski, Donna Spiegelman, Janet W Rich-Edwards
Affiliations

Occupational exposures among nurses and risk of spontaneous abortion

Christina C Lawson et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2012 Apr.

Abstract

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: None of the authors has a conflict of interest.

Comment in

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