Risk Factors for Childhood Leukaemia and Other Cancers
Author Information
Author(s): McKinney P A, Juszczak E, Findlay E, Smith K, Thomson C S
Primary Institution: Scottish Cancer Intelligence Unit, ISD Scotland
Hypothesis
Does early exposure to infections reduce the risk of childhood leukaemia?
Conclusion
The study found that neonatal infections may reduce the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, while asphyxia at birth increases the risk of leukaemia.
Supporting Evidence
- Neonatal infections significantly reduced the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
- Asphyxia at birth significantly increased the risk of leukaemia.
- Higher levels of maternal education were inversely associated with the risk of other solid tumours.
Takeaway
If babies get infections early on, it might help protect them from a type of blood cancer called leukaemia, but being deprived of oxygen at birth can increase the risk.
Methodology
A case control study comparing children with leukaemia to matched controls using maternal hospital obstetric notes.
Limitations
No obvious patterns of risk were detected across disease subgroups.
Participant Demographics
Scottish children aged 0–14 years.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.26–0.95
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website