Gestational diabetes & diabetes in pregnancy
Radon Exposure and Gestational Diabetes
Authors' conclusion
This cohort study suggests that higher radon exposure is associated with greater odds of GD in nulliparous pregnant individuals. Further studies are needed to confirm the results and elucidate the underlying mechanisms, especially with individual-level residential radon exposure assessment.
Study context
- Population
- Nulliparous pregnant participants from 8 US clinical centers (nuMoM2b cohort, 2010–2013), without pregestational diabetes; mean (SD) age 27.0 (5.6) years
- Participants
- 9,107 participants
- Exposure
- County-level radon exposure ≥2 vs <1 picocuries (pCi)/L
- Outcome
- GD, identified by glucose tolerance testing and medical record abstraction
Methodological detailsmulticenter
- Multicenter
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
GD
≥2 pCi/L vs <1 pCi/LOdds ratio (95% CI)
Adjusted for potential confounders
1.37(1.02–1.84)
Additional adjustment for PM2.5
1.36(1.00–1.86)
- Gestational diabetes (GD) recorded, all participants
- 382 (4.2%)
- Mean (SD) county-level radon concentration
- 1.6 (0.9) pCi/L
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
GD in ever smokers in counties with radon ≥2 pCi/L
- OR
- 2.09 (95% CI, 1.41-3.11)
- No statistically significant interactions were observed
GD in counties with higher radon and PM2.5 levels
- OR
- 1.93 (95% CI, 1.31-2.83)
- No statistically significant interactions were observed
Original publication
Radon Exposure and Gestational Diabetes. JAMA Netw Open. Published 2 January 2025. doi:10.
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