Menu
07/12/2010
Mobile Phone Exposure Linked To Kids’ Behavioural Problems
Pregnant mums who regularly use mobile phones may be more likely to have kids with behavioural problems, particularly if those children start using mobile phones early themselves, suggests research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
The researchers base their findings on more than 28,000 seven year olds and their mothers who were part of the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) study.
This study enrolled nearly 100,000 pregnant women between 1996 and 2002, with the intention of tracking their kids’ long term health.
The mums supplied detailed information on their lifestyle, dietary and environmental factors during the course of four lengthy phone interviews during and after pregnancy. When their children reached the age of seven, the mums were quizzed again about their and their kids’ health, including behaviour, which were scored using validated assessments. They were also asked to provide details of their mobile phone use during pregnancy and their kids’ mobile phone use.
The researchers had already studied a group of mothers and their 13,000 children from the DNBC and found similarities between the two groups.
In the new group, more than a third (35%) of the seven year olds were using a mobile phone compared with 30% of the previous group. And whereas around one in ten children of the previous group were jointly exposed to mobile phones before and after birth, this applied to 17% of the new group.
In both groups, around 3% of children were considered to have borderline behavioural problems, and similar proportions were categorised as exhibiting abnormal behaviour.
Children in both groups exposed to mobile phones before and after birth were 50% more likely to have behavioural problems, after taking account of a wide range of influential factors. Those exposed to mobile phones before birth only were 40% more likely to have behavioural problems, while those with no prenatal exposure but with access to them by the age of seven were 20% more likely to exhibit abnormal behaviours.
The authors say that these new results back their previous research and reduce the likelihood that this could have been a chance finding.
And they conclude: “Although it is premature to interpret these results as causal, we are concerned that early exposure to cell phones could carry a risk, which, if real, would be of public health concern given the widespread use of this technology.”
(BMcN)
The researchers base their findings on more than 28,000 seven year olds and their mothers who were part of the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) study.
This study enrolled nearly 100,000 pregnant women between 1996 and 2002, with the intention of tracking their kids’ long term health.
The mums supplied detailed information on their lifestyle, dietary and environmental factors during the course of four lengthy phone interviews during and after pregnancy. When their children reached the age of seven, the mums were quizzed again about their and their kids’ health, including behaviour, which were scored using validated assessments. They were also asked to provide details of their mobile phone use during pregnancy and their kids’ mobile phone use.
The researchers had already studied a group of mothers and their 13,000 children from the DNBC and found similarities between the two groups.
In the new group, more than a third (35%) of the seven year olds were using a mobile phone compared with 30% of the previous group. And whereas around one in ten children of the previous group were jointly exposed to mobile phones before and after birth, this applied to 17% of the new group.
In both groups, around 3% of children were considered to have borderline behavioural problems, and similar proportions were categorised as exhibiting abnormal behaviour.
Children in both groups exposed to mobile phones before and after birth were 50% more likely to have behavioural problems, after taking account of a wide range of influential factors. Those exposed to mobile phones before birth only were 40% more likely to have behavioural problems, while those with no prenatal exposure but with access to them by the age of seven were 20% more likely to exhibit abnormal behaviours.
The authors say that these new results back their previous research and reduce the likelihood that this could have been a chance finding.
And they conclude: “Although it is premature to interpret these results as causal, we are concerned that early exposure to cell phones could carry a risk, which, if real, would be of public health concern given the widespread use of this technology.”
(BMcN)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 January 2015
Sky To Launch New Mobile Phone Service
A new mobile phone service is to be launched by pay-TV company Sky in partnership Telefonica, O2's Spanish parent company. Sky, adding mobile to its internet, landline and TV, will use Telefonica UK's wireless network to offer the new service.
Sky To Launch New Mobile Phone Service
A new mobile phone service is to be launched by pay-TV company Sky in partnership Telefonica, O2's Spanish parent company. Sky, adding mobile to its internet, landline and TV, will use Telefonica UK's wireless network to offer the new service.
27 February 2008
Most People Believe Mobile Phone Use Affects Driving
Three quarters of people believe that drivers who use their mobile phones are needlessly risking their own, and other people's, safety, research published by the government has revealed. A YouGov poll carried out for the Department for Transport found that 60% of people said they felt 'annoyed' when they saw a motorist using a mobile phone.
Most People Believe Mobile Phone Use Affects Driving
Three quarters of people believe that drivers who use their mobile phones are needlessly risking their own, and other people's, safety, research published by the government has revealed. A YouGov poll carried out for the Department for Transport found that 60% of people said they felt 'annoyed' when they saw a motorist using a mobile phone.
20 December 2007
Mobile Phone Cashback Deals Criticised
Many mobile phone cashback deals are rip-offs which should be banned, consumer group Which? has claimed. The deals, where customers pay upfront for a handset and contract and then claim some or all of their money back over a period, sound great, Which? says, but in reality they warn they can be "highly dubious".
Mobile Phone Cashback Deals Criticised
Many mobile phone cashback deals are rip-offs which should be banned, consumer group Which? has claimed. The deals, where customers pay upfront for a handset and contract and then claim some or all of their money back over a period, sound great, Which? says, but in reality they warn they can be "highly dubious".
15 October 2009
Drugs 'Baron' Caged
The ringleader of a criminal gang that ran a network supplying millions of pounds worth of drugs across West London has been stopped in his tracks following an intelligence led operation by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service Sheldon Pommell, 25, from Acton, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court this week after be
Drugs 'Baron' Caged
The ringleader of a criminal gang that ran a network supplying millions of pounds worth of drugs across West London has been stopped in his tracks following an intelligence led operation by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service Sheldon Pommell, 25, from Acton, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court this week after be
23 May 2007
MEPs vote to reduce mobile roaming charges
MEPs in Strasbourg have backed plans to reduce roaming charges for mobile telephone users within the European Union. The European Parliament voted in favour of an EU Regulation to substantially reduce the charges for using mobile phones between EU countries.
MEPs vote to reduce mobile roaming charges
MEPs in Strasbourg have backed plans to reduce roaming charges for mobile telephone users within the European Union. The European Parliament voted in favour of an EU Regulation to substantially reduce the charges for using mobile phones between EU countries.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
