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Published on: November 21, 2018
Protective effect of breastfeeding against childhood leukemia in Zhejiang Province, P. R. China: a retrospective
Zhen Gao1, Rui Wang1, Zhao-Xia Qin1
1a Department of Nursing, Medical College of Nursing , Huzhou University , Huzhou , People's Republic of China.
Insights
Breastfeeding significantly reduces childhood leukemia risk, especially when continued for 7-9 months. Promoting breastfeeding can lower leukemia incidence in China.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Oncology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood leukemia remains a significant health concern.
- Breastfeeding is recognized for its numerous health benefits.
- Understanding protective factors against childhood cancers is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between breastfeeding and childhood leukemia in China.
- To identify the optimal duration of breastfeeding for leukemia prevention.
- To explore other potential risk factors for childhood leukemia.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case-control study was conducted.
- Data were collected from 958 leukemia cases and 785 healthy controls.
- Medical records and maternal phone interviews were utilized for data acquisition.
Main Results:
- Breastfeeding demonstrated a protective effect against childhood leukemia.
- Extended breastfeeding for 7-9 months showed a statistically significant risk reduction (p=0.002).
- Maternal age, smoking during pregnancy, abortion history, genetic factors, parental hair dye use, and prior birth control pill use were identified as potential risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Promoting breastfeeding for 7-9 months may decrease childhood leukemia rates.
- This study provides evidence for the protective role of breastfeeding against childhood leukemia in the Chinese population.
- Further research into other identified risk factors is warranted.
Objectives:
Our research investigated the relationship between childhood leukemia and breastfeeding in the P. R. of China.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective case-control study from March 2008 to April 2017 at the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang province, P. R. of China, which reviewed 958 children who had been diagnosed with leukemia in case group and 785 healthy children in control group. Data were obtained from medical records, and if the medical records were incomplete, we called mothers of children by phone to complete the data.
Results:
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of childhood leukemia; the effect is greater, if feeding continued for 7-9 months (p = 0.002). In addition, we suggest that some factors such as maternal age, smoking during pregnancy, abortion history, genetic factors, parents use of hair dye, and the history of using birth control pills before pregnancy can increase the risk of childhood leukemia.
Conclusions:
This study indicates that promoting breastfeeding for 7-9 months may help lower the childhood leukemia incidence. Our study firstly demonstrates that breastfeeding has protective effects against childhood leukemia in the P. R. of China.
Abbreviations:
ALL: Acute lymphocytic leukemia; AML: Acute myeloid leukemia.
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