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Birth weight, maternal weight and childhood leukaemia
C C McLaughlin1, M S Baptiste, M J Schymura
1New York State Cancer Registry, New York State Department of Health, Corning Tower Room 536, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237-0679, USA. ccm01@health.state.ny.us
Insights
Childhood leukaemia risk is linked to birth weight and maternal factors. High birth weight increased risk for acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), especially when mothers were not overweight.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Perinatal Epidemiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Childhood leukaemia is a significant health concern.
- Previous studies suggest a link between high birth weight and childhood leukaemia.
- The influence of other perinatal factors on this association remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between childhood leukaemia (ALL and AML) and perinatal factors, including birth weight, maternal pre-pregnancy weight, and gestational weight gain.
- To explore potential effect modification between these factors.
Main Methods:
- A case-cohort study design was employed.
- Included were 916 acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) and 154 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cases diagnosed before age 10.
- 9686 controls were selected from the same New York State birth cohorts (excluding NYC) between 1978-2001.
Main Results:
- Increased risk for both ALL and AML was associated with birth weight >= 3500 g.
- For ALL, high birth weight risk was modified by maternal pre-pregnancy weight.
- Increased pregnancy weight gain was associated with ALL; for AML, low birth weight (<3000 g) and higher maternal pre-pregnancy weight were associated with increased risk.
Conclusions:
- Childhood leukaemia risk appears associated with factors influencing abnormal fetal growth patterns.
- Perinatal factors like birth weight, maternal weight, and gestational weight gain play a role in childhood leukaemia development.
- Further research into these complex interactions is warranted.
Abstract:
There is mounting evidence that childhood leukaemia is associated with high birth weight, but few studies have examined the relationship between leukaemia and other perinatal factors that influence birth weight, such as maternal weight or gestational weight gain. This case-cohort study included 916 acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) and 154 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cases diagnosed prior to age 10 years between 1985 and 2001 and born in New York State excluding New York City between 1978 and 2001. Controls (n=9686) were selected from the birth cohorts for the same years. Moderate increased risk of both ALL and AML was associated with birth weight 3500 g or more. For ALL, however, there was evidence of effect modification with birth weight and maternal prepregnancy weight. High birth weight was associated with ALL only when the mother was not overweight while heavier maternal weight was associated with ALL only when the infant was not high birth weight. Increased pregnancy-related weight gain was associated with ALL. For AML, birth weight under 3000 g and higher prepregnancy weight were both associated with increased risk. These findings suggest childhood leukaemia may be related to factors influencing abnormal fetal growth patterns.
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