A systematic review of mobile phone use and pregnancy and fetal outcomes

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is a crucial period characterized by profound maternal and fetal biological changes and increasing susceptibility to environmental influences. The widespread use of mobile phones has raised concerns regarding potential health effects during pregnancy. Mobile phones emit non-ionizing radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), which could affect fetal development through thermal and non-thermal mechanisms. Research on mobile phone use during pregnancy remains limited and yields mixed findings. Objective: This review systematically evaluated evidence on the associations between maternal mobile phone use—specifically frequency and duration—and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Comprehensive PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar searches identified 20 studies meeting the predetermined inclusion criteria. Covidence was used for title and abstract screening. Results: While several studies reported no significant health threat, others suggested an association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The most consistent evidence emerged for alterations in fetal and neonatal cardiac function and increased risk of preterm birth, highlighting a need for further targeted research on system-specific vulnerabilities. Impact: Despite the widespread use of mobile phones, the adverse effects of RF-EMF exposure remain poorly understood, especially among susceptible populations, such as pregnant women. This study synthesizes human evidence to inform the general public, clinicians, researchers, patients, and policymakers about the potential risks associated with prenatal RF-EMF exposure. Although findings remain inconclusive, the evidence suggests possible effects on fetal cardiac function and gestational duration. By identifying methodological limitations and research gaps, this review highlights the need for standardized exposure assessment and well-designed prospective studies to enable more definitive risk evaluation and guide evidence-based recommendations for safer prenatal mobile phone use.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

The review included 20 studies. Some reported no significant health threat, while others found associations with adverse outcomes. The most consistent signals concerned altered fetal or neonatal cardiac function and increased risk of preterm birth, but the overall findings were inconclusive.

Outcomes measured

• Fetal and neonatal cardiac function
• Preterm birth
• Pregnancy and fetal outcomes

Limitations

• Research on mobile phone use during pregnancy is limited.
• Findings across studies are mixed.
• The authors identify a need for standardized exposure assessment and well-designed prospective studies.

{
    "study_type": "systematic_review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Pregnant women and their fetuses or newborns",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Fetal and neonatal cardiac function",
        "Preterm birth",
        "Pregnancy and fetal outcomes"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The review included 20 studies. Some reported no significant health threat, while others found associations with adverse outcomes. The most consistent signals concerned altered fetal or neonatal cardiac function and increased risk of preterm birth, but the overall findings were inconclusive.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Research on mobile phone use during pregnancy is limited.",
        "Findings across studies are mixed.",
        "The authors identify a need for standardized exposure assessment and well-designed prospective studies."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.9499999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "mobile phone use",
        "pregnancy",
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
        "fetal cardiac function",
        "neonatal cardiac function",
        "preterm birth",
        "systematic review"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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