Season of Birth and Diagnosis of Childhood Leukaemia
Author Information
Author(s): Higgins C D, dos-Santos-Silva I, Stiller C A, Swerdlow A J
Primary Institution: Cancer and Public Health Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
If infections are involved in the aetiology of childhood leukaemia then seasonal variation in the birth or onset dates of the malignancy may be apparent.
Conclusion
The study found no overall evidence of seasonality in the month of birth or diagnosis of childhood leukaemia, although there were significant peaks in specific months for certain historical cohorts.
Supporting Evidence
- The study analyzed 15,835 cases of childhood leukaemia.
- No overall evidence of seasonality was found in month of birth or diagnosis.
- A significant February peak in month of birth was found for cases born before 1960.
- A significant August peak in month of diagnosis was found for those diagnosed before 1962.
Takeaway
The researchers looked at a lot of cases of childhood leukaemia to see if the time of year kids were born or diagnosed made a difference, but they didn't find a clear pattern.
Methodology
The study used population-based data from the National Registry of Childhood Tumours to analyze cases of childhood leukaemia born and diagnosed in the UK between 1953 and 1995.
Limitations
Findings may be due to chance and are based on historical data.
Participant Demographics
Children diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK from 1953 to 1995.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P=0.01 for February peak, P=0.02 for August peak
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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