ID Number		1336
Study Type		Epidemiology
Model		Occupational exposure of physiotherapists to ultrasound and diathermy and correlation with adverse pregnancy outcomes
Details		Physiotherapists occupationally exposed to medical diathermy units during pregnancy (1973-1983) were analyzed for spontaneous abortion or congenital malformation in the offspring (n = 204 cases, 483 controls for spontaneous abortion; n = 46 cases, 187 controls for congenital malformation). Exposure information was collected by questionnaire and medical information was obtained from medical registers. The authors report no significant association between spontaneous abortion and either ultrasound or 27 MHz / diathermy exposures when all potential confounding variables were controlled. While an association was found for 27 MHz / diathermy and congenital malformations, the increase was only in the lower exposure category and no dose response relationship was observed. The authors conclude that while physical exertion during early pregnancy was a risk factor for spontaneous abortion, exposure to ultrasound and 27 MHz / diathermy could not be conclusively shown to be correlated, even though they suggest a "suspicion of potential harmful effects".
Findings		No Effects
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finlan
Funding Agency		Nat'l Res Prog, Finland
Country		FINLAND
References		Taskinen, H et al. J. Epidemiol. Community Health, (1990) 44:196-201
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