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Effect of rotating shift work on childbearing and birth weight: a study of women working in a semiconductor manufacturing factory

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Abstract

Background

Stable circadian rhythm is important for both maternal and fetal health. This retrospective analysis of women in a semiconductor factory evaluated the effect of shift work exposure on childbearing and birth weight.

Methods

Records of 440 female employees (initial mean age: 28.4 years) including 111 mothers who had 158 live births during the period of observation (1997–2007) were reviewed. The data analyzed included maternal age, general health condition, highest educational level, life-style and occupational factors, as well as newborn gender, birth weight, birth order and gestational age.

Results

The childbearing rates of female workers on three different work schedules (consistent daytime work (CDW), intermittent (i-) or persistent (p-) rotating shift works (RSW)) were 32.1%, 20.0% and 25.4%, respectively (P=0.047). After controlling for potential confounding factors, childbearing rates among women with CDW exceeded those of shift workers (odds ratio (OR), 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.0–3.0). The birth weights of newborns from mothers on the three work schedules (CDW, i-RSW and p-RSW) were significantly different (3271.7±395.4, 3251.3±460.9, and 2998.5±381.2 g, respectively (P<0.01). Newborns within the lightest birth weight quintile were significantly more likely to be born to mothers with exposure to p-RSW (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.1–16.8).

Conclusions

Rotating shift work exposure was significantly associated with decreased childbearing and lighter birth weight in women working in this semiconductor manufacturing factory. Work schedules should be carefully planned for female employees who are pregnant or preparing for pregnancy. Prenatal evaluations for mothers with persistent day-night rotating shift work exposures are especially necessary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Department of Occupational Medicine, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, 23742, Taiwan, China

    Yu-Cheng Lin

  2. Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, China

    Yu-Cheng Lin, Mei-Huei Chen, Chia-Jung Hsieh & Pau-Chung Chen

  3. School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan, China

    Yu-Cheng Lin

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Cardinal Tien Hospital Yung Ho Branch, Taipei, Taiwan, China

    Mei-Huei Chen

  5. Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Room 733, No.17, Syujhou Road, Taipei, 10055, Taiwan, China

    Pau-Chung Chen

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  1. Yu-Cheng Lin
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Correspondence to Pau-Chung Chen.

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Lin, YC., Chen, MH., Hsieh, CJ. et al. Effect of rotating shift work on childbearing and birth weight: a study of women working in a semiconductor manufacturing factory. World J Pediatr 7, 129–135 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-011-0265-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-011-0265-9

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