Tamar Wainstock1, Eyal Y Anteby2, Saralee Glasser3, Liat Lerner-Geva4, Ilana Shoham-Vardi5. 1. Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. Electronic address: wainstoc@post.bgu.ac.il. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barzilai Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Ashkelon, Israel. 3. Women and Children's Health Research Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Tel Hashomer, Israel. 4. Women and Children's Health Research Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Tel Hashomer, Israel; School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 5. Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between exposure to life-threatening rocket attacks and the risks of preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). METHODS: The present retrospective cohort study compared the outcomes of 1851 births by women exposed to rocket attacks and 2979 births by unexposed women. The timing, frequency, and intensity of exposure were calculated for each trimester and for the entire pregnancy period. Demographic and medical data were abstracted from the patients' records. RESULTS: The rates of PTB and LBW were higher among exposed than unexposed women (PTB: 9.1% versus 6.8%, P=0.004; LBW: 7.6% versus 5.8%, P=0.02). The rate of infants who were small for gestational age did not differ between the groups. After controlling for potential confounders, the risks for PTB and LBW remained significantly higher in the exposed group (PTB: adjusted odds ratio 1.3 [95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.7]; LBW: adjusted odds ratio 1.3 [95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.7]). There was no linear association between the intensity of exposure and the risk of PTB or LBW. CONCLUSION: Maternal exposure to intermittent but repeated life-threatening rocket attacks for a prolonged period might be associated with increased risks of PTB and LBW.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between exposure to life-threatening rocket attacks and the risks of preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). METHODS: The present retrospective cohort study compared the outcomes of 1851 births by women exposed to rocket attacks and 2979 births by unexposed women. The timing, frequency, and intensity of exposure were calculated for each trimester and for the entire pregnancy period. Demographic and medical data were abstracted from the patients' records. RESULTS: The rates of PTB and LBW were higher among exposed than unexposed women (PTB: 9.1% versus 6.8%, P=0.004; LBW: 7.6% versus 5.8%, P=0.02). The rate of infants who were small for gestational age did not differ between the groups. After controlling for potential confounders, the risks for PTB and LBW remained significantly higher in the exposed group (PTB: adjusted odds ratio 1.3 [95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.7]; LBW: adjusted odds ratio 1.3 [95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.7]). There was no linear association between the intensity of exposure and the risk of PTB or LBW. CONCLUSION: Maternal exposure to intermittent but repeated life-threatening rocket attacks for a prolonged period might be associated with increased risks of PTB and LBW.
Authors: Ke Pan; Leslie Beitsch; Elaina Gonsoroski; Samendra P Sherchan; Christopher K Uejio; Maureen Y Lichtveld; Emily W Harville Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-06 Impact factor: 3.390