Influence of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure on sleep patterns in preterm neonates

Abstract

Influence of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure on sleep patterns in preterm neonates Besset D, Selmaoui B, Delanaud S, Bessarion L, Chardon K, de Seze R, Leke A, Stéphan-Blanchard E. Influence of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure on sleep patterns in preterm neonates. Int J Radiat Biol. 2023 Nov 16:1-6. doi: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2277365. Abstract Purpose: The study objective was to assess the influence of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure on sleep patterns in preterm newborns. We hypothesized that an increase in RF-EMF exposure levels would alter infants' sleep structure parameters. Materials and methods: Individual, continuous measurements of RF-EMF levels were performed in 29 hospitalized preterm newborns throughout the first 21 days after birth. The last day, overnight sleep structure was recorded by polysomnography. Relationships between both chronic (three-week period) and acute (polysomnographic period) RF-EMF levels with sleep parameters were computed. Results: At median levels, the main chronic effect was an increase in indeterminate sleep with RF-EMF exposure. At the highest exposure levels found in our study, an increase in RF-EMF levels increased sleep fragmentation. No significant relationship was found between acute RF-EMF levels and sleep parameters. Conclusions: Despite no consolidated disruption in sleep structure, this study is the first to show that some sleep parameters seem to have a certain sensitivity to chronic - but not acute - RF-EMF exposure in preterm newborns. Further studies are needed to confirm our results and examine possible mid- to long-term, sleep- related cardiorespiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In 29 hospitalized preterm newborns monitored for 21 days, higher chronic RF-EMF exposure was associated with increased indeterminate sleep at median exposure levels and increased sleep fragmentation at the highest exposure levels observed. No significant relationships were found between acute RF-EMF levels during the polysomnographic period and sleep parameters.

Outcomes measured

• Sleep structure parameters (polysomnography)
• Indeterminate sleep
• Sleep fragmentation

Limitations

• Small sample size (n=29)
• Observational design; relationships/associations reported
• Exposure source and frequency details not specified in abstract
• Sleep structure recorded only on the last day (overnight polysomnography)

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.2)
  Study concerns RF-EMF health effects (sleep outcomes), potentially relevant to general RF exposure guidance discussions.

{
    "study_type": "cohort",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "continuous measurements over first 21 days after birth; acute levels during polysomnographic period"
    },
    "population": "Hospitalized preterm newborns (preterm neonates)",
    "sample_size": 29,
    "outcomes": [
        "Sleep structure parameters (polysomnography)",
        "Indeterminate sleep",
        "Sleep fragmentation"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In 29 hospitalized preterm newborns monitored for 21 days, higher chronic RF-EMF exposure was associated with increased indeterminate sleep at median exposure levels and increased sleep fragmentation at the highest exposure levels observed. No significant relationships were found between acute RF-EMF levels during the polysomnographic period and sleep parameters.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Small sample size (n=29)",
        "Observational design; relationships/associations reported",
        "Exposure source and frequency details not specified in abstract",
        "Sleep structure recorded only on the last day (overnight polysomnography)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
        "preterm newborns",
        "neonates",
        "sleep",
        "polysomnography",
        "sleep fragmentation",
        "indeterminate sleep",
        "hospitalized"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "reason": "Study concerns RF-EMF health effects (sleep outcomes), potentially relevant to general RF exposure guidance discussions."
        }
    ]
}

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