[RATES OF MICROCEPHALY AMONG NEONATES IN AIR POLLUTED REGIONS OF HAIFA BAY].

BACKGROUND

In 2016 Israeli news media reported preliminary results of research claiming higher incidence of microcephaly among newborns in air polluted areas in Haifa Bay. These news prompted high levels of anxiety and anger.

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the incidence of microcephaly in Haifa Bay and compare it to the rest of Israel.

METHODS

Employing Maccabi electronic health records to compare rates of microcephaly among neonates followed up in Maccabi's well-baby clinics to the same clinics in the rest of Israel.

RESULTS

Mean head circumference percentile was similar in Haifa Bay and the rest of Israel (38.09+/- 26.42 vs 37.59+-25.62), as was the rate of microcephaly (4.92% vs. 4.83%).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings do not support air pollution as an etiological factor of microcephaly in Haifa Bay.

DISCUSSION: Air pollution is not associated with higher rates of microcephaly in Haifa Bay.