Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 24, 2026

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
14:43

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

12.5K

Maternal Obesity, Birth Size, and Risk of Childhood Cancer Development

Shaina L Stacy1,2, Jeanine M Buchanich3, Zhen-Qiang Ma4

  • 1UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

American Journal of Epidemiology
|May 21, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Maternal obesity and abnormal newborn size are linked to increased childhood cancer risk. These early-life factors, including fetal growth, play a significant role in cancer development, highlighting the importance of prenatal health.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Infants and children are highly susceptible to environmental exposures during critical developmental windows.
  • Maternal health and exposures before and during pregnancy can significantly impact a child's long-term health outcomes, including cancer risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal anthropometric characteristics (e.g., body mass index) and newborn size with the risk of childhood cancer.
  • To identify potential early-life risk factors for childhood cancer development.

Main Methods:

  • Linked Pennsylvania birth and childhood cancer registry data from 2003-2016.
  • Analyzed a cohort of over 1.8 million births, assessing cancer diagnoses before age 14.
  • Utilized statistical models to evaluate the relationship between maternal body mass index, newborn size, and cancer risk, controlling for known factors.

Main Results:

  • Maternal body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher was associated with a 57% increased risk of leukemia.
  • Newborns larger than expected (≥30% above) had 2.2-fold and 1.8-fold increased hazard ratios for total childhood cancer and leukemia, respectively.
  • Newborns smaller than expected (<30% below) also showed an increased risk for overall childhood cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal obesity and deviations in fetal growth (both large and small for gestational age) are significant risk factors for childhood cancer.
  • Early-life exposures related to maternal obesity and fetal growth patterns contribute to childhood cancer development.
  • These findings underscore the importance of monitoring maternal health and fetal growth during pregnancy to mitigate childhood cancer risks.

Keywords:
birth weightcohort studiesleukemiamaternal exposureobesity

More Related Videos

Determining the Role of Maternally-Expressed Genes in Early Development with Maternal Crispants10:08

Determining the Role of Maternally-Expressed Genes in Early Development with Maternal Crispants

Published on: December 21, 2021

2.6K
A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta11:44

A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta

Published on: September 27, 2017

11.8K

Related Concept Videos

Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Childhood01:28

Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Childhood

Erik Erikson, a stage theorist, adapted Freud's theory to emphasize social factors in personality development throughout life, a concept known as psychosocial development. Unlike Freud, who focused on early childhood, Erikson believed that personality evolves across eight life stages, each marked by a specific challenge or "crisis." Successful resolution of each stage fosters competence, while failure may lead to feelings of inadequacy.
The first four of Erikson's eight...
1.0K
Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood01:25

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood

Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development emphasizes the role of thinking in a child's learning process, suggesting that children are naturally curious about their environment. His approach to development is discontinuous, proposing that cognitive abilities progress through distinct stages, each with unique characteristics. Central to Piaget's theory is schemata—mental structures that allow individuals to understand and interpret the world.
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
1.5K
Birth Control Methods01:22

Birth Control Methods

Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although...
5.9K
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.2K
Relative Risk01:12

Relative Risk

Relative risk (RR) is a statistical measure commonly used in epidemiology to compare the likelihood of a particular event occurring between two groups. This metric is important for evaluating the relationship between exposure to a specific risk factor and the probability of a particular outcome. It plays a crucial role in medical research, public health studies, and risk assessment. Relative risk quantifies how much more (or less) likely an event is to occur in an exposed group compared to an...
2.0K
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
238