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[Children born of leukemic parents. Apropos of 23 children]
Insights
Children born to mothers with leukemia showed a higher incidence of congenital abnormalities compared to those born to fathers with leukemia. Further research is needed to understand the long-term risks of chemotherapy on future generations.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Leukemia treatment, particularly chemotherapy, can have long-term effects.
- The impact of parental leukemia and its treatment on offspring health is not fully understood.
- Chemotherapy's toxic effects differ between male and female gonads.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate congenital abnormalities in children born to parents who underwent leukemia treatment.
- To compare the risks associated with maternal versus paternal leukemia.
- To assess potential delayed teratogenic effects of chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of children born to parents with leukemia after treatment cessation.
- Data collection on parental leukemia type, treatment history, and offspring health outcomes.
- Documentation of congenital malformations and benign abnormalities in children.
Main Results:
- Two of 23 children studied had severe congenital malformations (hypopituitarism with midline defect, laparoschisis).
- Two benign abnormalities were also observed.
- Abnormalities were exclusively observed in children whose mothers had leukemia; no abnormalities were noted in children of fathers with leukemia.
Conclusions:
- Maternal leukemia and its treatment may be associated with a higher risk of congenital abnormalities in offspring.
- The teratogenic effects of chemotherapy require further investigation.
- Establishing an international registry is recommended to track fecundity and risks for future generations.
Abstract:
We have studied the children born of leukemic parents who treatment had stopped. In total, 8 women (3 acute myeloblastic leukemias and 5 acute lymphoblastic leukemias) who gave birth to 11 children, and 6 men (all with acute lymphoblastic leukemias) who fathered 12 children were studied. Of these 23 children, two have a severe congenital malformation, one congenital hypopituitarism associated with mid-line defect, and one laparoschisis, and also two benign abnormalities were observed. The children with abnormalities had a leukemic mother, whilst no leukemic father had an abnormal child. It is well known that the toxic effect of chemotherapy is different in the male and the female gonad. These results are compared to those in the literature, and at present it appears difficult to form a clear opinion on the delayed teratogenic effect of chemotherapy. Fecundity and the risk for future generations are unknown. The opening of an international registry would be useful.