Congenital Abnormalities in Children with Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): J.R. Mann, H.E. Dodd, G.J. Draper, J.A.H. Waterhouse, J.M. Birch, R.A. Cartwright, A.L. Hartley, P.A. McKinney, C.A. Stiller
Primary Institution: The Children's Hospital, Ladywood Middteway, Birmingham
Hypothesis
What is the association between congenital malformations and childhood cancers?
Conclusion
Children with cancer have a higher incidence of congenital malformations compared to healthy controls.
Supporting Evidence
- There were 60 children with malformations among the cancer cases compared to 27 among the GP controls.
- Case mothers had a higher incidence of malformations (22/555) compared to GP controls (8/555).
- Specific chromosomal/genetic conditions were found more frequently in case children than in controls.
Takeaway
Kids with cancer often have more birth defects than kids without cancer, which might mean something went wrong before they were born.
Methodology
Parents of 555 newly diagnosed children with cancer were interviewed and matched with 1,110 controls from GP lists and hospital admissions.
Potential Biases
Potential under-reporting of malformations in relatives and small sample sizes for some comparisons.
Limitations
The study may have under-reported malformations in grandparents and other relatives.
Participant Demographics
Children newly diagnosed with cancer in the West Midlands, North West, and Yorkshire Health Authority Regions in England.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
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