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Relation between maternal diet and subsequent primitive neuroectodermal brain tumors in young children
G R Bunin1, R R Kuijten, J D Buckley
1Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
The New England Journal of Medicine
|August 19, 1993
Summary
Maternal diet, including fruits, vegetables, and specific vitamin supplements, may reduce the risk of childhood brain tumors. Nitrosamines were not found to be a significant risk factor in this study.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Oncology
Background:
- Hypothesized link between dietary nitrosamines, nitrites, nitrates, and brain tumor risk.
- Vitamins C and E proposed to inhibit nitrosamine formation, offering potential protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the association between maternal diet during pregnancy and the risk of primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNTs) in children.
- Evaluate the role of nitrosamines, nitrites, nitrates, and specific vitamins in PNT development.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study involving 166 children diagnosed with PNTs and matched controls.
- Telephone interviews with mothers regarding dietary intake (foods, supplements) and alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Main Results:
- Protective trends observed for maternal intake of vegetables, fruits, vitamin A, vitamin C, nitrate, and folate.
- Maternal use of iron, calcium, vitamin C supplements, and early multivitamin use showed decreased PNT risk.
- Nitrosamine intake did not show a significant trend for increased risk.
Conclusions:
- Study does not support the hypothesis that nitrosamines contribute to PNT development in young children.
- Specific dietary factors, including certain vitamins and food groups, may influence the risk of PNTs in children.