The Effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake on Perinatal Outcomes: Results of the Pregnancy and Birth Survey in the Fukushima Health Management Survey

Abstract

There are limited studies on the long-term effects of natural/environmental disasters, especially nuclear disasters, on obstetric outcomes. This study aimed to review the results of perinatal outcomes immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, as well as their long-term trends over 8 years, in the Fukushima Health Management Survey. The annual population-based Pregnancy and Birth Survey is conducted as part of the Fukushima Health Management Survey. The Fukushima Prefecture government launched it to assess the health conditions of pregnant women and their neonates after the GEJE. The self-reported questionnaire was sent to 115,976 pregnant women by mail from January 2012, with 58,344 women responding to the questionnaire (50.3% response rate). Pregnancy complications, such as gestational hypertension, respiratory diseases, and mental disorders, increased in some women who were pregnant at the time of the earthquake and immediately after the earthquake. However, the direct effects on newborns, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and congenital anomalies, were not immediately clear after the earthquake. Although there were significant differences in the occurrence of preterm birth and low birth weight among the districts, there was no change in the occurrences of preterm birth, low birth weight, or anomalies in newborns in Fukushima Prefecture from the fiscal year 2011 to the fiscal year 2018. Therefore, the long-term effects of the post-disaster radiation accident on perinatal outcomes are considered to be very small.

Achievements and Current Status of the Fukushima Health Management Survey

“… 25 Although significant differences in the incidence of preterm births and low birth weight were observed among districts, there was no significant increasing trend in the incidence of preterm births, low birth weight, and neonatal abnormalities in all six districts of Fukushima Prefecture from 2011 to 2018. 11 , 16 The results of this study suggest that there is little effect of radiation accidents on the perinatal outcomes of pregnant women.…”

“…Pregnancy complications, such as gestational hypertension, respiratory diseases, and psychiatric disorders, increased in some women who were pregnant at the time of and immediately after the radiation accident. 11 However, the direct impact on newborns, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and congenital anomalies, was not evident in consecutive surveys, including the one immediately after the accident. 25 Although significant differences in the incidence of preterm births and low birth weight were observed among districts, there was no significant increasing trend in the incidence of preterm births, low birth weight, and neonatal abnormalities in all six districts of Fukushima Prefecture from 2011 to 2018.…”

“… 1 , 6 In brief, the FHMS consists of the Basic Survey 7 and four detailed surveys: the Thyroid Ultrasound Examination, 8 Comprehensive Health Check, 9 Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey, 10 and Pregnancy and Birth Survey (Figure 1 ). 11 , 12 The eligible population of the Basic Survey was mainly individuals registered as residents in Fukushima Prefecture between March 11 and July 1, 2011 (including evacuees) and residents of other prefectures who commute to Fukushima Prefecture, totaling approximately 2.05 million people. The eligible population for the detailed survey is shown in the methods section of each survey below.…”

Effects of External Radiation Exposure on Perinatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident: the Fukushima Health Management Survey

“…The Pregnancy and Birth Survey (PBS), a questionnaire-based survey, was commissioned by Fukushima Prefecture and conducted by Fukushima Medical University to assess the health status of pregnant and nursing mothers in Fukushima Prefecture who may have been forced to evacuate or change medical facilities. 4 …”