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Preterm birth, low birth weight, and risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma

Magnus Kaijser1, Olof Akre, Sven Cnattingius

  • 1Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medicine at Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. magnus.kaijser@medks.ki.se

Gastroenterology
|March 15, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Infants born preterm or small for gestational age have a significantly higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Low birth weight (<2000g) further elevates this risk, possibly due to increased gastroesophageal reflux.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux is prevalent in preterm and small for gestational age infants.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux is a known risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term risk of esophageal cancer in individuals born preterm and/or small for gestational age.
  • To assess the association between birth status (preterm/small for gestational age) and esophageal adenocarcinoma risk.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study of 3364 individuals born between 1925 and 1949.
  • Assessment of long-term esophageal cancer incidence in relation to birth characteristics.

Main Results:

  • A more than 7-fold increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma was observed in the cohort (SIR, 7.27).
  • Birth weight below 2000g was associated with an over 11-fold increased risk (SIR, 11.5).
  • Confidence intervals indicate statistical significance for these associations.

Conclusions:

  • The findings suggest a potential link between being born preterm/small for gestational age and increased esophageal cancer risk.
  • This association, if not spurious, may be attributed to increased gastroesophageal reflux in infancy.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Abstract

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