[Effects derived from occupational exposure to hazardous substances in pregnant working women: systematic review]

OBJECTIVE

To review the effects derived from occupational exposure on pregnant working women exposed to hazardous substances.

METHODS

Critical analysis of the works retrieved by systematic review in MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS and MEDES, up to January 2021. The Search Equation was developed by means of the descriptors «Pregnancy», «Hazardous Substances» and «Occupational Exposure», as well as using related Entry Terms and the filters «Humans» and «Adult: 19+ years». The quality of the articles was evaluated via the STROBE questionnaire and the level of evidence and the grade of recommendation via the SIGN criteria.

RESULTS

Out of the 420 references retrieved (366 digitally and 54 manually) and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 35 articles were selected. The STROBE evaluation obtained a median of 15.32, and the SIGN criteria, a 2+ level of evidence and a C grade of recommendation. Article obsolescence was high (Burton-Kebler half-life: 22.0; Price index: 0.00%). In 25 out of 35 articles, the exposure is to organic solvents. In 22 articles, congenital anomalies were notified.

CONCLUSIONS

The reviewed articles exhibited high obsolescence and a degree of evidence and recommendation that did not allow to fully ensure the validity and reliability of the observations made. The results manifested the association between the exposure to dangerous substances and the occurrence of different damages regarding the health of a pregnant worker and her offspring. The most common exposure was to organic solvents and the most observed effect was congenital alterations.