Influence of occupational noise exposure on reproductive function in Chinese female workers:a meta-analysis / 中国职业医学

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of occupational noise exposure on reproductive function in Chinese female workers.METHODS: The published literatures that showed the relationship between occupational noise exposure and female workers' reproductive function from Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang Data,Chinese Biology Medicine Database and China Science and Technology Periodical Database from 1985 to 2016 were collected,screened and analyzed using bibliometric method.The Rev Man 5.2 software was used to calculate the pooled odds ratio(OR) and the 95%confidence interval(CI).RESULTS: A total of 25 original research papers were included.The occupational exposure to noise was significantly associated with abnormality of female menstrual cycle(OR = 2.26,95% CI 1.70-3.01),dysmenorrheal(OR = 2.21,95% CI 1.78-2.75),abnormal menstrual period(OR = 2.11,95% CI 1.40-3.18),abnormal menstrual blood volume(OR = 1.73,95% CI 1.34-2.23),pregnancy-induced hypertension(OR = 1.82,95% CI 1.49-2.22),anemia in pregnancy(OR = 1.71,95% CI 1.25-2.34),threatened abortion(OR = 1.98,95% CI 1.23-3.20),spontaneous abortion(OR = 1.76,95% CI 1.49-2.08),stillbirths(OR = 1.61,95% CI 1.22-2.13),premature birth(OR = 1.57,95% CI 1.36-1.81),neonatal low birth weight(OR = 1.66,95% CI 1.39-1.98),and congenital malformations(OR = 1.58,95% CI 1.10-2.27) compared with the controls(P<0.01).There was a doseresponse relationship between the above-mentioned indicators and the intensity of noise exposure.Occupational noise exposure was not associated with over-term birth(OR = 1.32,95% CI 0.81-2.15,P>0.05) compared with the controls.CONCLUSION: Occupational noise exposure can affect the reproductive function and pregnancy outcomes of female workers.It is suggested that pregnant women should not be engaged in noise operations.