Spontaneous abortions in female populations occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation.
OBJECTIVE
Exposure to radioisotopes of metals and halogen elements occurring in medical practice may cause spontaneous abortions. The potential role of occupational exposure to X-rays and internal radioisotopes on pregnancy outcome in childbearing age women employed in hospital departments were analyzed in order to estimate miscarriage risk.


METHODS
Over a period of 16 years, the occurrence of miscarriages in 61 women exposed to radioisotopes was compared to that reported in 170 X-ray exposed women. Chromosomal aberrations (CA) were measured in both radiation-exposed groups and in 53 non-exposed women.


RESULTS
Women exposed to radioisotopes experienced at least a threefold higher rate of spontaneous abortions than those exposed to X-ray (OR = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.39-9.74, P < 0.01). Although X-ray and radioisotopes exposed women had significantly higher levels of chromosome type frequency (0.51 +/- 0.82, and 0.63 +/- 0.99, respectively) than referents (0.17 +/- 0.34), there was no clear difference between radiation-exposed women.


CONCLUSIONS
For exposure levels within standard recommended guidelines, radioisotopes are far more likely to play a role in the occurrence of spontaneous abortions than X-rays. Such biological effect is not detectable by deviations in CA frequency.
Fucic
Aleksandra
A
Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000, Zagreb, Ksaverska c 2, Croatia. afucic@imi.hr
Merlo
Domenico Franco
DF
Ceppi
Marcello
M
Lucas
Joe N
JN
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011247:Pregnancy; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014965:X-Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
D011868:Radioisotopes