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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-10-2015 | Original Article

Adverse birth outcomes and maternal complications in licensed cosmetologists and manicurists in California

Authors: Thu Quach, Julie Von Behren, Debbie Goldberg, Michael Layefsky, Peggy Reynolds

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 7/2015

Abstract

Purpose

Due to concerns around occupational chemical exposures, this study sought to examine whether women working as cosmetologists (providing hair and nail care services) and manicurists (providing only nail care services) have an elevated risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

In this population-based retrospective study of cosmetologists and manicurists in California, we linked cosmetology licensee and birth registry files to identify births during 1996–2009. We compared outcomes among cosmetologists and manicurists to those of the general female population and to women from other industries. We also conducted restricted analyses for Vietnamese women, who comprise a significant proportion of the workforce.

Results

There was little evidence of increased risk for adverse birth outcomes, but we observed an association for small for gestational age (SGA) among Vietnamese manicurists (OR 1.39; 95 % CI 1.08–1.78) and cosmetologists (OR 1.40; 95 % CI 1.08–1.83) when compared to other working women. Some maternal complications were observed, notably an increased risk for gestational diabetes (OR 1.28; 95 % CI 1.10–1.50 for manicurists; OR 1.19; 95 % CI 1.07–1.33 for cosmetologists) compared with the general population, which further elevated when restricted to Vietnamese workers (OR 1.59; 95 % CI 1.20–2.11 for manicurists; OR 1.49; 95 % CI 1.04–2.11 for cosmetologists). Additionally, we observed an association for placentia previa among manicurists (OR 1.46; 95 % CI 1.08–1.97) and cosmetologists (OR 1.22; 95 % CI 1.02–1.46) compared with the general population.

Conclusions

Women in the nail and hair care industry may be potentially at increased risk for some maternal complications, although further research is warranted. Vietnamese workers may also have increased risk for SGA.

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Title: Adverse birth outcomes and maternal complications in licensed cosmetologists and manicurists in California
Authors: Thu Quach
Julie Von Behren
Debbie Goldberg
Michael Layefsky
Peggy Reynolds
Publication date: 01-10-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 7/2015
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-1011-0

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Springer Medicine

Adverse birth outcomes and maternal complications in licensed cosmetologists and manicurists in California

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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