Pregnancy protection program in a large chemical company : Infant outcomes

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate reproductive outcomes in infants relative to maternal exposures in the chemical industry. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.