ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between working conditions and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Korea. METHODS: We obtained data on health history, lifestyle, housework and working conditions, such as shift work, hours standing, working time, job demand, lifting at work and at home, between August and September 2000, from self-reported questionnaires. A group of 344, occupationally active, pregnant women from 51 industries were studied. Of the women studied, 328 women were further interviewed by telephone between November 2000 and September 2001. Result : Compared with daytime work, shift work increased the risk for preterm birth (an adjusted risk ratio of 2.74, 95% CI=1.02-2.62) and low birth weight (an adjusted risk ratio of 2.74, 95% CI=1.02-2.62). A significantly increased risk was found for prolonged standing, with an adjusted risk ratio of preterm births of 6.80 (95% CI=2.01-23.0). There were no significant differences in the incidence of spontaneous abortion between the occupational working conditions, with the exception of a previous history of spontaneous abortion. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that maternal working conditions, such as shift work and prolonged standing, contribute significantly to preterm birth and low birth weight.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Pregnancy , Abortion, Spontaneous , Cohort Studies , Household Work , Incidence , Infant, Low Birth Weight , Korea , Life Style , Lifting , Occupations , Odds Ratio , Pregnancy Outcome , Pregnant Women , Premature Birth , Prospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Telephone , Women, Working , Work Schedule ToleranceABSTRACT
Harlequin baby may represent the extreme form of lamellar ichthyosis or may be a distinct entity. It is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, but it's cause is unknown, although the abnormalities of keratinization and epidermal lipid metabolism have been suggested. We recently experienced a case of harlequin baby in a male neonate who showed the typical skin appearance at birth. His skin was markedly thickened and cracked, and large horny plates were formed over the entire body. His face was disfigured, and the nose and ear were flattened by the thickened skin. The chemosis and severe ectropion obscured the orbits, and his lips were everted and gaping. The inelastic skin resulted in flexion of all joints, and hands and feet appeared fixed and ischemic. The pathologic findings of skin biopsy were compatible to the lamellar ichthyosis and his family history was nonspecific. We managed the patient with supportive care for his special skin lesion, along with the trial of retinoic acid. However, the treatment was withheld and the baby was discharged against medical advice as the parents wised, and the baby died 5 days after discharge.