BACKGROUND: Although the influence of maternal distress during pregnancy on newborn Apgar scores has been studied in various populations, there is limited research specifically addressing this issue among Asian women. This study of Japanese women aims to investigate the association between maternal distress during pregnancy and the risk of a low 5-min-Apgar score among newborns. METHODS: We analyzed data from 87,765 mother-newborn pairs in the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Using multivariable logistic regression, we estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for low Apgar scores (<7) at 5 minutes about maternal distress during early and mid-late pregnancy, as measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Apgar scores were obtained from newborns' medical records. RESULTS: A higher risk of low Apgar score in newborns at 5 minutes was found in mothers with moderate to severe distress than in those with low distress during mid-late pregnancy. The adjusted OR (95% CI) was 1.22 (1.05-1.42) for moderate distress (K6 = 5-12) and 1.42 (1.00-2.01) for severe distress compared to low distress (p for trend = 0.002). The positive association between maternal distress and the risk of low Apgar score was observed in preterm birth (<37 weeks) and low birth weight (<2,500 g) but not in term birth and normal birth weight. CONCLUSION Maternal distress during mid-late pregnancy was positively associated with the risk of low Apgar score of newborns, specifically in preterm birth and low birth weight.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Apgar Score ; Infant, Newborn ; Adult ; Stress, Psychological/epidemiology* ; Male ; Young Adult ; Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology* ; Mothers/psychology* ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Chronic constipation is a long-term problem that decreases children's quality of life. Information and communication technology devices have developed rapidly in recent decades and have had various impacts on children. This prospective cohort study examined the association between television/digital versatile disc (TV/DVD) screen exposure time at age 1 and the risk of chronic constipation at age 3. METHODS: Data from 63,697 infants in the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS) were analyzed. We divided participants into five groups according to TV/DVD exposure time per day: no exposure (0 h), short exposure (<1 h), middle exposure (1.0-<2.0 h), long exposure (2.0-<4.0 h), and very long exposure (≥4 h). Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between TV/DVD exposure time and the risk of constipation. For logistic regression analysis, odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for sex, parents' education, household income, nursery school, feeding contents, and obesity. The interaction between the sexes was also examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of constipation for males, females, and all participants at age 3 was 9.3, 11.0, and 10.1%, respectively. The TV/DVD screen time distribution per day at age 1 was 10.6% for none, 34.1% for short, 29.9% for middle, 19.2% for long, and 6.2% for the very long exposure group. After adjusting for confounding factors, a dose-response pattern was identified between TV/DVD exposure time and constipation in all participants (p for trend < 0.001). The adjusted ORs increased progressively in the short (OR 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.27), middle (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.11-1.35), long (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.24-1.52), and very long exposure groups (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.35-1.74). This association was not significantly different between the sexes (p for interaction = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS Longer TV/DVD exposure time at age 1 was associated with the risk of chronic constipation at age 3. Excessive screen exposure may need to be avoided from infancy to decrease the risk of chronic constipation in later years.
Humans ; Constipation/etiology* ; Male ; Female ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Television/statistics & numerical data* ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Screen Time ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Chronic Disease/epidemiology* ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: Few prospective studies have investigated the association between paternal occupational exposures and risk of infant congenital heart defects (CHDs). We investigated the associations between paternal occupational exposures, frequency of use, and concurrent or sequential exposure to a mixture of compounds and the risk of infant CHDs. METHODS: Our study examined 28,866 participants in the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with paternal occupational exposures during the 3 months until pregnancy was noticed after adjustment for potential confounding factors of the infant CHDs. CHD diagnosis was ascertained from medical record. RESULTS: In total, 175 were diagnosed with infant CHDs. The number of fathers who were exposed to the following substances at least once a month were: 11,533 for photo copying machine/laser printer, 10,326 for permanent marker, 8,226 for soluble paint/inkjet printer, 6,188 for kerosene/petroleum/benzene/gasoline, 4,173 for organic solvents, 3,433 for chlorine bleach/germicide, 2,962 for engine oil, 2,931 for insecticide, 2,460 for medical sterilizing disinfectant, 1,786 for welding fumes, 1,614 for dyestuffs, 1,247 for any products containing lead-like solder, 986 for herbicide, 919 for radiation/radioactive substances/isotopes, 837 for lead-free solder, 341 for microbes, 319 for formalin/formaldehyde, 301 for agricultural chemical not listed above or unidentified, 196 for general anesthetic for surgery at hospital, 171 for anti-cancer drug, 147 for chromium/arsenic/cadmium, 88 for mercury and 833 for other chemical substances. Paternal occupational exposure regularly to photo copying machine or laser printer and soluble paint/inkjet printer were associated with higher risks of infant CHDs: the adjusted ORs (95%CIs) were 1.38 (1.00-1.91) and 1.60 (1.08-2.37), respectively. The higher risks were also observed for occasional exposure to engine oil, any products containing lead-like solder lead-free solder, and microbes; the adjusted ORs (95%CIs) were 1.68 (1.02-2.77), 2.03 (1.06-3.88), 3.45 (1.85-6.43), and 4.51, (1.63-12.49), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Periconceptional paternal occupational exposure was associated with a higher risk of infant CHDs. Further studies using biomarkers of the association between paternal occupational exposure and infant CHDs are warranted.
Male ; Humans ; Infant ; Child ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Case-Control Studies ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects* ; Heart Defects, Congenital/epidemiology* ; Fathers

Purpose: Sedentary behavior attributes to the increased risk of some cancers and all-cause mortality. The evidence is limited for the association between television (TV) viewing time, a major sedentary behavior, and risk of colorectal cancer death. We aimed to examine this association in Japanese population. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study encompassed of 90,834 men and women aged 40-79 years with no prior history of colorectal cancer who completed a self-administered food frequency questionnaire, and provided their TV viewing information. The participants were followed-up from 1988-1990 to the end of 2009. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by the Cox proportional hazard regression for risk of colorectal cancer mortality according to TV viewing time. Results: During the median 19.1-year follow-up period, we documented 749 (385 men and 364 women) colorectal cancer deaths. The multivariable-adjusted HRs for mortality from colorectal cancer were 1.11 (0.88-1.41) for 1.5 to < 3 hr/day, 1.14 (0.91-1.42) for 3 to < 4.5 hr/day and 1.33 (1.02-1.73) for ≥ 4.5 hr/day in comparison to < 1.5 hr/day TV watching; p-trend=0.038, and that for 1-hour increment in TV viewing time was 1.06 (1.01-1.11). Moreover, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95%CI) of colon cancer for 1-hour increment in TV viewing time was 1.07 (1.02-1.13). Age, body mass index, and level of leisure-physical activity did not show significant effect modifications on the observed associations. Conclusion TV viewing time is associated with the increased risk of colorectal cancer mortality among Japanese population, more specifically colon rather than rectal cancer.

Purpose: Sedentary behavior attributes to the increased risk of some cancers and all-cause mortality. The evidence is limited for the association between television (TV) viewing time, a major sedentary behavior, and risk of colorectal cancer death. We aimed to examine this association in Japanese population. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study encompassed of 90,834 men and women aged 40-79 years with no prior history of colorectal cancer who completed a self-administered food frequency questionnaire, and provided their TV viewing information. The participants were followed-up from 1988-1990 to the end of 2009. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by the Cox proportional hazard regression for risk of colorectal cancer mortality according to TV viewing time. Results: During the median 19.1-year follow-up period, we documented 749 (385 men and 364 women) colorectal cancer deaths. The multivariable-adjusted HRs for mortality from colorectal cancer were 1.11 (0.88-1.41) for 1.5 to < 3 hr/day, 1.14 (0.91-1.42) for 3 to < 4.5 hr/day and 1.33 (1.02-1.73) for ≥ 4.5 hr/day in comparison to < 1.5 hr/day TV watching; p-trend=0.038, and that for 1-hour increment in TV viewing time was 1.06 (1.01-1.11). Moreover, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95%CI) of colon cancer for 1-hour increment in TV viewing time was 1.07 (1.02-1.13). Age, body mass index, and level of leisure-physical activity did not show significant effect modifications on the observed associations. Conclusion TV viewing time is associated with the increased risk of colorectal cancer mortality among Japanese population, more specifically colon rather than rectal cancer.