Gestational risk factors for Wilms' tumor: results of a case-control study

Gestational risk factors for Wilms' tumor were investigated in a pair-matched case-control study. Cases who were under 15 years of age at diagnosis during 1970-1983 were identified through the registries of the three main hospitals treating childhood cancer in the greater Philadelphia area. Controls were selected by random digit dialing and were matched to cases on race, birth date, and telephone area code and exchange. Because of a low participation rate among nonwhites, results are reported only for the 88 white matched pairs whose parents were interviewed by telephone. Of the hypothesized risk factors, maternal use of hair-coloring products in the year prior to the index child's birth (odds ratio, 3.6; P = 0.003) and hypertension or fluid retention during pregnancy (odds ratio, 5.0, P = 0.01) were significantly associated with increased risk of Wilms' tumor. Use of hair-coloring products was strongly associated with cases in which Wilms' tumor was diagnosed before 2 years of age (odds ratio, 15; P = 0.001). For two other gestational factors, tea drinking and vaginal infection, the odds ratios were significantly elevated for all cases and the effects were concentrated among the nongenetic cases. Bilateral cases had a significantly higher mean birth weight than did their controls. Older maternal age was significantly associated with the genetic form of Wilms' tumor. Adjustment for possible confounders and consideration of the time interval between the index pregnancy and the interview did not substantially alter the findings.