Summary:
An investigation of children aged 5-19 in Norway and Sweden revealed a rise in consultations and diagnoses related to memory problems and mild cognitive impairment. In Norway, data from a national surveillance system showed that consultations for memory disturbance increased from approximately 180 per 100,000 in 2006 to about 1,522 per 100,000 in 2024, an 8.5-fold increase. In Sweden, the number of children diagnosed mild cognitive impairment (including memory problems) rose from 0.86 per 100,000 in 2010 to 51.53 per 100,000 in 2024, a nearly 60-fold increase. Because the study draws on national registry data rather than individual records, it does not attribute cause at the individual level. Nevertheless, the authors highlight that the surge has been particularly steep in the past 4-5 years in both countries. The authors note that during the same timeframe children’s exposure to microwave radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, and wireless devices has risen substantially. They reference experimental and epidemiological literature linking these exposures to memory and cognitive impairment, including animal studies showing hippocampal damage and altered memory function even at exposure levels below current public limits. In summary, the findings point to an increase in cognitive and memory-related consultations among children and adolescents in Scandinavia. While causation is not established, the overlap with rising radiation exposure warrants further public health attention and investigation.
Abstract:
Previous studies have reported negative impact on memory and cognitive functions in humans and animals from exposure to microwaves, also called radiofrequency (RF) radiation, emitted from wireless technology. In this register based study, data from the Norwegian Syndromic Surveillance System (NorSySS) on memory impairment (ICPC-2 code P20) in children aged 5-19 years during 2006 to 2024 were obtained. Similarly, from The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare’s national patient register on number of patients aged 5-19 years in specialized open care, diagnosed during 2001 and 2024 with codes related to memory problems or disturbances (R41.3, R41.8 or F06.7), were assessed. In Norway the consultations increased from 179.51 in 2006 to 1,522.40 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024, representing an 8.5 times increase. The increase was especially pronounced in recent years. A similar trend was observed in Sweden with increasing yearly number of patients with mild cognitive impairment diagnosis (R41.8), particularly from 2010 with 0.86 patients to 51.531 patients per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024, thus an increase of nearly 60 times during that time period. During that time period children’s exposure to microwave RF radiation has increased substantially. We postulate that this can be a causative factor for these increasing trends in consultations for memory problems in Norway and diagnosis of cognitive impairment, including memory problems, in Sweden.
Article Publication Date: 21/10/2025
DOI: 10.26502/acbr.50170487
