Outcome of pregnancy in relation to irregular and inconvenient work schedules.
The relation between irregular and inconvenient working hours and the outcome of pregnancy was studied among women employed at a hospital in Sweden some time between 1980 and 1984. A questionnaire was distributed to 807 women; 81% replied. The pregnancies were divided into six groups with respect to work schedules during pregnancy. A slightly, but not significantly, increased risk of miscarriage was found in women who worked irregular hours or rotating shifts compared with women who worked only during the day (RR = 1.44, 95% confidence interval 0.83-2.51). Infants of non-smoking mothers who worked irregular hours had significantly lower birth weights than infants of non-smoking women working day time only. This difference was largest at birth order 2+. Similar results were found for infants of this birth order whose non-smoking mothers worked evenings or rotating shift.
Axelsson
G
G
Department of Environmental Hygiene, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Rylander
R
R
Molin
I
I
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology*; D003069:Coffee / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013548:Sweden; D014930:Women; D014931:Women, Working; D014937:Work; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance
D003069:Coffee