Pregnancy protection program in a large chemical company: infant outcomes.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate reproductive outcomes in infants relative to maternal exposures in the chemical industry. Via questionnaires administered after the pregnancy announcement, end of pregnancy, and 1 year later, infant outcomes were documented for 1147 live births. Maternal exposure factors were evaluated relative to birth height and weight, sex ratio, Apgar score at 5 minutes, and major malformations. Birth height and weight, sex ratio, and Apgar score did not differ by maternal work area or chemical hazard categories. Major malformations (3.1%) and organ-specific anomalies were consistent with the experience of a regional birth defects registry. Rates of malformation were marginally higher in infants born to women assigned to chemical versus office jobs. Infant outcomes to date have been consistent with comparable findings from population-based studies. Longer-term observation will be needed to assess trends for low-frequency outcomes and more specific maternal exposures.