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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

John D. Meyer, MD MPH¹, Nicholas Warren, ScD¹, Ginger H. Nichols, MA¹, and Susan Reisine, PhD². (1) Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut, 263 Farmington Ave, MC-6210, Farmington, CT 06030-6210, 860 679-4947, meyer@uchc.edu, (2) Center fo Interdicisplinary Research in Women's Health, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT 06030

Objectives: Research into the relationship of occupational stress to adverse birth outcomes has demonstrated variable and conflicting results. This study examined occupational data collected in the Connecticut Birth Registry to determine associations between pregnancy outcomes, employment and occupational characteristics, including type of occupation, physical demands and job strain. Design: Data from the 2000 CT Birth Registry was coded according to 2000 Census Occupational Classification. Psychosocial work characteristics were obtained from the aggregate Demand/Control indices of the Quality of Employment Surveys and applied using the occupational coding. Logistic regression was used to evaluate risk of term low birth weight (TLBW; <2500g at >37weeks) while controlling for other risk factors. Results: 41,244 singleton pregnancies were analyzed; 64% had an occupation noted in the birth registry. Birthweight was higher for infants of women with an occupation, compared to those not working (3392g v. 3346g; p<0.001). Lower mean birthweight was seen in infants of mothers working in retail sales (3270g), assemblers/fabricators (3272g) and material moving workers (3272g). Risk of TLBW was significantly increased for women working in food preparation (adjusted OR 3.2; reference group -clerical work), textile workers (2.4), personal appearance (1.7) and food serving (1.5) jobs. High-strain jobs (high job demands plus low control) presented an increased risk of TLBW when adjusted for other maternal covariates and physical demands of work (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.22-1.56). Conclusions: These data suggest that work in some service sector jobs present a risk to pregnancy previously not described, potentially mediated through psychosocial job characteristics.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• assess work that may place pregnant women at increased risk for low birth weight delivery
• evaluate the interactions between work and other factors that may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes

Keywords: Pregnancy Outcomes, Occupational Exposure

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation