SynthesisInternational archives of occupational and environmental health2014
Physically demanding work and preterm delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in International archives of occupational and environmental health, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 30 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
30 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Physical job demands in pregnancy and associated musculoskeletal health and employment outcomes: a systematic review.American journal of obstetrics and gynecology · 2024Pooled it
- Pregnancy, obstetrical and neonatal outcomes in women exposed to physician-related occupational hazards: a scoping review.BMJ open · 2023Pooled it
- Maternal Occupational Risk Factors and Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Public health reviews · 2023Pooled it
- Effects of prenatal artificial sweeteners consumption on birth outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Public health nutrition · 2021Pooled it
- Occupational Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Birth Weight and Length of Gestation: A European Meta-Analysis.Environmental health perspectives · 2016Pooled it
- Right-sizing Incentives.Journal of development economics · 2026Article
- Development of a quantitative job exposure matrix for standing, walking, and forward bending among pregnant workers - The PRECISE JEM.Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health · 2025Article
- Workplace risk assessment criteria for pregnant workers exposed to physical exertion and biological and chemical hazards.Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju · 2025Article
- Use of benefits during pregnancy: a cohort study in four organisations in Spain.BMJ public health · 2025Article
- Workplace Ergonomic Adjustments and Supportive Policies During the Pregnancy of a Paint Sprayer: A Case Report.Cureus · 2024Article
- Patient perspectives and preferences on cerclage and preterm birth: a focus group study.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2024Article
- Stress and anxiety during pregnancy and length of gestation: a federated study using data from five Canadian and European birth cohorts.European journal of epidemiology · 2024Article
- Article
- Impact of maternal posture on fetal physiology in human pregnancy: a narrative review.Frontiers in physiology · 2024Review
- Maternal occupational risk factors and preterm birth: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.PloS one · 2023Article
- Working conditions in low risk nulliparous women in The Netherlands: are legislation and guidelines a guarantee for a healthy working environment? A cohort study.International archives of occupational and environmental health · 2022Article
- Review
- Evaluation of a blended care programme for caregivers and working pregnant women to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes: an intervention study.Occupational and environmental medicine · 2021Article
- First trimester employment, working conditions and preterm birth: a prospective population-based cohort study.Occupational and environmental medicine · 2021Article
- Ergonomic Stressors Among Pregnant Healthcare Workers: Impact on pregnancy outcomes and recommended safety practices.Sultan Qaboos University medical journal · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivePhysically demanding work may increase the risk of preterm delivery (PTD), defined as delivery before 37 weeks. We assessed the available evidence.
methodsA systematic search in Medline, Embase and Nioshtic for the period 1990 to June 2012 for observational and intervention studies on physically demanding work (prolonged standing, heavy lifting, physical exertion, occupational fatigue and demanding posture) and PTD. Selected studies were assessed for their risk of bias and pooled using a random effects model. Results of case-control and cohort studies were reported separately in subgroups.
resultsWe found 10 studies with low risk of bias and seven studies with moderate risk of bias. Standing and walking at work during pregnancy for more than 3 h per day was associated with an increased risk for PTD [OR 1.3 (95% CI 1.1-1.6)], just as lifting and carrying >5 kg [OR 1.3 (95% CI 1.05-1.6)] or lifting and carrying in the third trimester of the pregnancy [OR 1.3 (95% CI 1.01-1.8)]. Jobs that required physical effort or physical exertion were associated with an increased risk of PTD [OR 1.4 (95% CI 1.19-1.66)]. Working during pregnancy in jobs with a combination of two or more physical tasks, physical effort or occupational fatigue was also associated with an increased risk of PTD [OR 1.5 (95% CI 1.1-2.0)].
conclusionsPhysically demanding work during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of PTD, especially in jobs with a combination of tasks with physical effort. In general, only small to moderate elevations of risks were found.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.