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Maternal Body Mass Index, Diabetes, and Gestational Weight Gain and Risk for Pediatric Cancer in Offspring: A

Andrew R Marley1, Allison Domingues1, Taumoha Ghosh2

  • 1Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

JNCI Cancer Spectrum
|May 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Maternal obesity and diabetes increase pediatric cancer risk, especially leukemia and central nervous system tumors. Managing weight and blood sugar during pregnancy is crucial for maternal and child health.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Reproductive Health

Background:

  • Pediatric cancer rates are rising alongside adult obesity.
  • The link between maternal obesity, comorbidities, and pediatric cancer risk is understudied.
  • This study quantifies the association between maternal prepregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, and diabetes with pediatric cancer risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the quantitative associations between maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, and diabetes with pediatric cancer risk.
  • To systematically review and meta-analyze existing literature on these associations.
  • To provide evidence supporting maternal health interventions for pediatric cancer prevention.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted in Ovid and EMBASE up to March 15, 2021.
  • Eligible studies reporting risk estimates and sample sizes were included.
  • Random effects models were used for meta-analysis to pool effect estimates.

Main Results:

  • Maternal prepregnancy BMI was positively associated with offspring leukemia risk.
  • Maternal diabetes (pregestational and gestational) was linked to increased acute lymphoblastic leukemia risk.
  • Maternal diabetes was inversely associated with central nervous system tumor risk; gestational weight gain showed no significant association.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal obesity and diabetes are potential etiological factors for pediatric cancers, particularly leukemia and CNS tumors.
  • Weight management and glycemic control are vital for maternal and offspring health.
  • Further research is needed to validate these findings and inform clinical practice.
Abstract

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