ABSTRACT
Objective:To identify the relationship between exposure to mobile phones and other electronic products and the ability development in children.Methods:Retrospective study.A total of 218 children aged 0.5-6.0 years presented to the Department of Health Care, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University form September 2019 to June 2020 for developmental examination were included.Those with nervous system, mental system diseases, endocrine system diseases and premature children were excluded.Their development was evaluated and the information about exposure to mobiles phones and other electronic products were collected. Chi- square test and Fisher′ s exact probability method were used to analyze the relationship between the exposure to mobile phones and other electronic products and the ability development in children.The influencing factors of children′s development in various fields were analyzed by the binary Logistic regression. Results:Abnormal fine movements of children aged 0.5-0.9 years were related to the latest time every night of exposure ( P<0.05). Abnormalities of adaptability, language and social self-care in children aged 1.0-2.9 years and abnormality of language in children aged 3.0-5.9 years were correlated with the number of hours of daily exposure (all P<0.05). Abnormalities of language and social self-care in children aged 1.0-2.9 years and abnormalities of adaptability, language and social self-care in children aged 3.0-5.9 years were correlated with the purposes of exposure (all P<0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis indicated that the children′s gross motor was affected by the number of hours of daily exposure ( OR=1.868, P<0.05). The children′s fine motor movements were affected by mother′s educational level and the latest time every night of exposure ( OR=1.722, 2.355, all P<0.05). The children′s adaptability was affected by mother′s educational level, child caregivers, the number of hours of daily exposure and the latest time every night of exposure ( OR=1.711, 2.866, 1.895, 1.650, all P<0.05). The children′s speech was affected by the number of hours of daily exposure, the latest time every night of exposure, and the purposes of exposure (telephone or video phone, early education or study)( OR=2.348, 1.806, 0.328/0.350, all P<0.05). The children′s social interaction and self-care delay were affected by mother′s educational level, the number of hours of daily exposure and the purposes of exposure (telephone or video phone, early education or study)( OR=1.647, 2.678, 0.307/0.363, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The adverse effects of exposure to mobile phones and other electronic products on children should be well concerned.The exposure time of developing young children should be strictly controlled to prevent the adverse effects on the nervous system and development in children.For children who were already affected, relevant habits and behaviors should be timely corrected to avoid irreversible damages.