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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Zebrafish Model of Neuroblastoma Metastasis
Published on: March 14, 2021
The epidemiology of neuroblastoma: a review
Julia E Heck1, Beate Ritz, Rayjean J Hung
1International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 cours Albert Thomas, Lyon, France.
Insights
Neuroblastoma, a common childhood tumor, may be influenced by maternal factors. Alcohol and diuretic use during pregnancy were linked to increased risk, while vitamin intake and childhood allergies showed protective effects.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Neuroblastoma is the most frequent cancer in infants under one year old.
- Understanding its epidemiological risk factors is crucial for prevention and early detection strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and summarize existing epidemiological research on neuroblastoma risk factors.
- To identify potential environmental and maternal exposures associated with neuroblastoma development.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed.
- 47 epidemiological studies, including case-control and cohort designs, were analyzed.
- Risk factors were assessed based on reported odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals.
Main Results:
- Maternal alcohol and diuretic use during pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of neuroblastoma (OR range 1.1–12.0 and 1.2–5.8, respectively).
- Maternal vitamin intake (OR range 0.5–0.7) and a history of allergic disease in children (OR range 0.2–0.4) were linked to a decreased risk.
- Study designs varied, with sample sizes ranging from 42 to 538 cases.
Conclusions:
- Epidemiological evidence suggests associations between specific maternal exposures and childhood allergic history with neuroblastoma risk.
- The rarity of neuroblastoma presents significant challenges for epidemiological research.
- Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore underlying mechanisms.
Abstract:
Neuroblastoma is the most common tumour in children less than 1 year of age. The goal of this review was to summarise the existing epidemiological research on risk factors for neuroblastoma. A comprehensive search of the literature was undertaken using PubMed for epidemiological studies on neuroblastoma risk factors. We ascertained 47 articles which examined the risk factors. Ten studies employed population-based case-control designs; six were hospital-based case-control studies; two were cohort studies; and five employed ecological designs. Studies ranged in size from 42 to 538 cases. Three studies showed evidence of an increased risk of disease with use of alcohol during pregnancy (OR range 1.1, 12.0). Protective effects were seen with maternal vitamin intake during pregnancy (OR range 0.5, 0.7) in two studies, while risk of disease increased with maternal intake of diuretics (OR range 1.2, 5.8) in three studies. Three studies reported a decrease in risk for children with a history of allergic disease prior to neuroblastoma diagnosis (OR range 0.2, 0.4). The rarity of neuroblastoma makes this disease particularly challenging to study epidemiologically. We review the methodological limitations of prior research and make suggestions for further areas of study.
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