European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
Occupational physical activity and pregnancy outcome
Introduction
In the last 50 years, many studies had been published investigating the relationship between various occupational exposures and pregnancy disturbances. Several specific occupational exposures are suspected of causing reproductive failures such as anaesthetics, solvents [1] and pharmaceutical products [2]. One of these risk factors is occupational physical exertion [3]. Strenuous work may cause reproductive disorders through high energy expenditure which may influence the uterine blood flow [4], [5]. Both factors can change the intra-uterine environment and may interfere with normal embryonic and fetal growth. Occupational activities, which include reaching, bending and heavy lifting, may over-load the spine and increase the intra-abdominal pressure, which in turn may predispose to miscarriage [6]. Attention has mainly been focused on late pregnancy outcome [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12]. To our knowledge, few studies have examined the relationship between occupational physical activity and spontaneous abortion [13], [14]. This shortage was the stimulus to undertake this study, taking into account the special circumstances of working and conditions in which women, in the Egyptian and similar communities, practice their occupational activities.
Section snippets
Subjects and methods
This case/control study included all women admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Mansoura University Hospitals, Egypt over the period of 1 year from 1 September 1998 to 31 August 1999 suffering spontaneous abortion. A matched group of women who had completed their pregnancies in the same period was included as a control group.
After taking a formal consent, all women in the study were subjected to a specifically designed fixed format questionnaire to evaluate the pattern of
Results
The study comprised 562 spontaneously aborted women among those admitted to Mansoura University Hospitals during the study period. The matched control group included 1200 women among those who completed their pregnancy. Table 1 shows the characteristics of women in the study and control group. There was no significant difference between both groups as regard age, parity, education, smoking habit, previous gynaecological problems, previous infertility treatment or previous spontaneous abortion.
Discussion
This case/control study on more than 560 women suffered from spontaneous abortion shows a clear association between the occupational physical activity and the occurrence of spontaneous abortion among Egyptian women. These women were under the specific working conditions and circumstances similar to those found in other developing communities.
The relationship between occupational physical exertion and the occurrence of spontaneous abortion was the primary objective only in two studies. McDonald
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