Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Magnetic Levitation Coupled with Portable Imaging and Analysis for Disease Diagnostics
Published on: February 19, 2017
Magnetic fields and acute leukemia in children with Down syndrome
Juan Manuel Mejia-Arangure1, Arturo Fajardo-Gutierrez, Maria Luisa Perez-Saldivar
1Epidemiología, Clínica, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional, Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México. juan.mejiaa@imss.gob.mx
Background:
: We analyzed effects of exposure to magnetic fields on the expression of acute leukemia in children with Down syndrome (who have a 20-fold higher risk of leukemia).
Methods:
: We performed a case-control study that included 42 children with both acute leukemia and Down syndrome as cases and 124 healthy children with Down syndrome as controls. We obtained demographic information concerning the children and took spot measurements of magnetic fields at each residence.
Results:
: The odds ratio for direct measurements of magnetic fields >/=6.00 mG was 3.7 (95% confidence interval = 1.05-13.1).
Conclusion:
: The association between magnetic fields and leukemia in children with Down syndrome suggests the possibility of a causal role for magnetic fields in the etiology of leukemia among a genetically susceptible subgroup of children.
Related Concept Videos
Magnetic Fields
A magnetic field is defined by the force that a charged particle experiences...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Diamagnetic Shielding of Nuclei: Local Diamagnetic Current
