Risk of developing neuroblastoma influenced by maternal stressful life events during pregnancy and congenital...

A retrospective multicenter study to investigate the potential association between descriptive information related to pregnancy history and perinatal features and the risk of neuroblastoma (NB) in children.

Data from 56 mothers during 105 pregnancies (56 cases of NB, 49 control siblings) were collected through face-to-face or telephone interviews with mothers of children diagnosed with NB, along with information extracted from Health System databases. Descriptive information related to (a) pregnancy history as maternal stressful life events with perceived distress during pregnancy, weight gain, alcohol and tobacco consumption, mode of delivery and gestational age; and (b) perinatal features as congenital pathologies, weight at birth and type of feeding were examined to identify potential risk factors for NB.

Stressful life events during pregnancy and certain congenital pathologies were independently associated with NB risk. No significant associations were found between other features. Breastfeeding rates were similar between cases and controls.

Our results underscore the importance of providing support and care to pregnant women to reduce potential stressors. Further research is needed to better understand the influence of dysbiosis and mitochondrial-nuclear communication impairment as underlying mechanisms of maternal stress during pregnancy and presence of congenital pathologies in order to confirm them as potential risk factors for NB.