Topic for Lit Review

The Literature Review topic that I would like to explore is cell phone (radio frequency) exposure during pregnancy and its connection to childhood behavioral problems. The evidence relating cell phone use and negative childhood behaviors is relatively new and emerging and, therefore, are no governing bodies that regulate cell phone usage during pregnancy.

Cell phone usage in the United States has been increasing over the past several years. Almost 95% of all Americans have and use cell phones and more 12% use their smartphones for internet access. Unfortunately, the use of cell phones is increasing faster than the understanding of the potential negative exposure risks. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) does not have any recommendations about cell phone use and pregnancy. 
The California Department of Public Health while it does not explicitly provide recommendations for pregnant mothers usage of cell phones, does provide recommendations for children. They recommend that children and adults...


  • Keeping the phone away from the body
  • Reducing cell phone use when the signal is weak
  • Reducing the use of cell phones to stream audio or video, or to download or upload large files
  • Keeping the phone away from the bed at night
  • Removing headsets when not on a call
  • Avoiding products that claim to block radio frequency energy. These products may actually increase your exposure.


The FCC provides basic information about cell phone exposure (radio frequency) and potential health exposure implications. However, there is no evidence about cell phone use/radio frequency (RF) and pregnancy. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) references the NIH and the US National Toxicology Program's study on RF radiation and the development of cancerous tumors in rats. In addition to providing childhood exposure guidelines, the AAP supports more studies to clarify the potential impact of cell phone use/RF radiation and human health. The CDC also supports more research on the connection between human health and RF and the WHO provides a list of recommendations for safer cell phone use. Unfortunately, both the CDC and WHO do not include pregnancy guidelines.

While the evidence is still on the newer side for recommendations, I would argue that it is better to be safer and advice pregnant mothers to reduce their exposure.

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