# EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS AMONG FEMALE OFFICE WORKERS

> **NIH NIH R01** · MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF CUNY · 1993 · $300,000

## Abstract

We propose to conduct a prospective epidemiologic study of early
pregnancy loss in a population of 8,000 women office workers.  The
goals are (1) to determine rates of early pregnancy loss using a
newly developed, highly sensitive, immunoradiometric assay for
human chorionic gondotropin (hcG) in urine; and (2) to determine,
using this assay, whether early pregnancy loss is associated with
cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption or exposure to video display
terminals (VDTs).

The epidemiology of early, subclinical pregnancy loss is not well
defined.  Both lifestyle and toxic environmental exposures may
contribute to its etiology.  It may be unrecognized cause of
infertility.  Previous studies in highly selected populations have
demonstrated the utility of immunoradiometric hCG assay as an
objective marker of early pregnancy loss.  This molecular probe has
not, however, been used to assess the epidemiology of subclinical
early pregnancy loss in a general population.

In an initial cross-sectional survey, we will characterize the
population of women office workers, identify women at risk of
becoming pregnant, and collect information on potential risk
factors for early pregnancy loss.

Women identified as at risk of becoming pregnant (sexually active
and not using birth control) (estimated N=720) will be followed
prospectively for one year.  Each women will collect two urine
samples each month at the beginning of menses; pregnancy and
pregnancy loss will be established by hCG assay of these specimens.
Each women will complete monthly reports detailing smoking, alcohol
consumption and VDT use.  Both job-related stressors (ergonomic and
psychologic) and electromagnetic radiation exposures possibly
associated with VDT use will be assessed.  Maximum likelihood
logistic regression will be used to model risk of early pregnancy
loss.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2199251
- **Project number:** 3R01HD024618-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF CUNY
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHELE MARCUS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $300,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1989-09-01 → 1995-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2199251

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2199251, EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS AMONG FEMALE OFFICE WORKERS (3R01HD024618-04S1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2199251. Licensed CC0.

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