Fact Check: Can laptop use on laps in teens raise miscarriage risk by 47% in 30s?

Claim: A video circulating on Instagram raises alarming claims about the effects of laptop use on young girls and the risks it poses for future fertility. According to the video, based on purported findings from 8000 studies, girls aged 10 to 15 who regularly place laptops on their laps may face a staggering 47% increase in miscarriage risk when they reach their thirties. The video advises against keeping laptops on laps and recommends placing them on desks instead, citing potential detrimental effects on egg development. Furthermore, the video suggests that exposure to electromagnetic fields from technology, such as sleeping in rooms with devices and keeping phones charging nearby, could also impact health, advocating for sleeping in complete darkness away from electronic devices. These claims urge viewers to be cautious of electromagnetic field exposure and to reconsider how and where they use technology to protect their reproductive health and overall well-being. The video, garnered over 2 lakh likes, can be accessed here.

Fact Check: The claim is FALSE.

Additionally, it is important to note that Barbara O'Neill, the woman featured in the video, is an alternative healthcare promoter known for advocating unsupported and potentially dangerous health practices.

What are some common causes of infertility in women of reproductive age?

Dr. Smrithi D Nayak, Consultant - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Aster RV Hospital explains, "Infertility can be emotionally distressing for individuals in the reproductive age group. Causes of infertility may include hormonal imbalances, irregular cycles, PCOS, or lifestyle factors. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) offer options for couples struggling with infertility."

What are electromagnetic fields (EMFs)?

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible areas of energy, often referred to as radiation, associated with electrical power and various forms of natural and man-made lighting. Common sources include power lines, electrical wiring, and electronic devices such as laptops and smartphones.

How can EMFs potentially affect human health?

There is ongoing research into the potential health effects of EMFs. Some studies have suggested possible links between high levels of EMF exposure and certain health issues, such as cancer, but the evidence is not conclusive. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified EMFs as possibly carcinogenic to humans, but more research is needed to confirm these effects.

What is a miscarriage, and what can cause it?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a miscarriage, also known as spontaneous abortion, is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation. It is a common event in about 10% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn't developing as expected, often due to chromosomal abnormalities. (3) It can result from various factors, including genetic abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, infections, chronic health conditions (such as diabetes and thyroid disorders), structural issues in the uterus, and lifestyle factors (such as smoking, alcohol use, and excessive caffeine consumption). Environmental factors and certain medications can also play a role, but low-level electromagnetic fields from consumer electronics like laptops are not recognized as a cause.

Can using laptops on your lap during adolescence increase the risk of miscarriage by 47% in women in their thirties?

There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that using laptops on your lap during adolescence increases the risk of miscarriage by 47% in women in their thirties. Here’s a breakdown of the relevant factors:

Heat Emissions: While laptops do generate heat, which can raise scrotal temperatures and potentially affect sperm quality in males (1), there is no evidence suggesting that heat from laptops impacts female reproductive health or pregnancy outcomes later in life.

Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs): Laptops emit low levels of EMFs. Despite concerns about long-term exposure, current scientific studies have not shown a clear link between EMF exposure from laptops and increased miscarriage risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by electronic devices like mobile phones are classified as "possibly carcinogenic to humans". Still, it emphasizes that no adverse health effects have been established from mobile phone use at levels below those that cause tissue heating. (2)

While it's important to use electronic devices safely to avoid immediate discomforts like skin burns from direct heat, the specific claim linking adolescent laptop use in young girls to a significant increase in miscarriage risk in the thirties is unsupported by scientific evidence.

What do the experts say?

The Health Dialogues Team asked Dr Gayathri D Kamath, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore, the question she said, “As of now, there is no direct evidence linking laptop usage on lap during teens and reproductive life. However, girls doing this are more likely to have a sedentary lifestyle, which can cause weight gain, obesity and polycystic ovarian syndrome, which can negatively affect their reproductive potential. Computers do generate heat when used for a long time. There is no direct evidence of heat on ovarian function as they are cosily seated deep inside the abdomen. Men may have to be careful as increased scrotal temperatures may cause a decrease in quality or quantity of sperm.”

Medical Dialogues Final Take: While concerns about heat emissions from laptops and their potential to emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been raised, no conclusive scientific evidence or medical consensus supports the claim that using laptops on the lap during adolescence increases miscarriage risk by 47% in women in their thirties. Currently, medical understanding of miscarriage emphasizes genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors as causes rather than the use of laptops.

Hence, the claim that laptop use during adolescence significantly increases miscarriage risk later in life is FALSE.

References:

1. Sheynkin, Y., Jung, M., Yoo, P., Schulsinger, D., & Komaroff, E. (2005). Increase in scrotal temperature in laptop computer users. Human reproduction (Oxford, England), 20(2), 452–455. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh616

2. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Electromagnetic fields and public health: mobile phones and their base stations. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/electromagnetic-fields-and-public-health-mobile-phones

3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.). Early Pregnancy Loss. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/early-pregnancy-loss