Perinatal characteristics and retinoblastoma

Julia E Heck1, Christina A Lombardi, Travis J Meyers

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Box 951772, 650 Charles E. Young Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA. jeheck@ucla.edu

Insights

This study found that older paternal age and twin births are linked to bilateral retinoblastoma. Maternal STDs also increased risk, while lower maternal education was associated with unilateral cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Epidemiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The exact causes of retinoblastoma, a rare childhood eye cancer, are not fully understood.
  • Research suggests potential links between perinatal factors and cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between various perinatal factors and the risk of developing retinoblastoma in children.
  • To analyze data from California children diagnosed with retinoblastoma between 1988 and 2007.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 609 retinoblastoma cases and 209,051 controls.
  • Data primarily sourced from birth certificates.
  • Multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Bilateral retinoblastoma showed associations with increased paternal age and twin births.
  • Unilateral retinoblastoma risk was higher in children of US-born Hispanic mothers and lower for those with less maternal education.
  • Maternal sexually transmitted infection (STD) during pregnancy was linked to bilateral retinoblastoma.

Conclusions:

  • Findings support previous research on parental age and retinoblastoma.
  • The study highlights potential associations between perinatal factors like STDs and parental demographics with retinoblastoma risk.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Diabetic Retinopathy01:27

Diabetic Retinopathy

DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...