Cancer Risk by Attained Age among Children with Birth Defects in Arkansas

Abstract

Background: Few studies have evaluated associations between birth defects and risk of pediatric cancers by age of attainment. Therefore, we assessed the risk of cancer among children with and without birth defects by age at attainment. Methods:We examined cancer risk in children ≤14 years with and without birth defects born between 1996 and 2011 by linking data from the Arkansas Reproductive Health Monitoring System, Arkansas Central Cancer Registry, and birth certificates. Age of attainment for cancer was calculated as person-years from birth to cancer diagnosis, death, or end of study period, whichever occurred first. Using Cox proportional hazards models, we evaluated associations by attained age groups (<1, 1-4, 5-9, and 10-14 years) between: (1) groups of birth defects (any, chromosomal, and non-chromosomal) and any cancer; (2) non-chromosomal birth defects by organ system and any cancer; and (3) non-chromosomal birth defects and subtypes of cancer.

Role of non‐chromosomal birth defects on the risk of developing childhood Hodgkin lymphoma: A Children's Oncology Group study

“…Second, the age of onset for HL is typically later than for other lymphomas and many childhood cancers, suggesting the mechanisms that give rise to non‐chromosomal birth defects may not play as important an etiologic role in HL development. This is supported by previous studies suggesting cancer risk is strongest among younger individuals 46,53 …”

“…This is supported by previous studies suggesting cancer risk is strongest among younger individuals. 46,53 This study should be considered in light of certain limitations. First, we relied on maternal report to identify birth defects rather than on registry-based or clinical assessments.…”

“…Additionally, there has not been a study that focuses solely on assessing the potential relationship between birth defects and childhood HL. However, such a study is needed for at least two reasons: (1) fewer studies focus on risk factors specifically for childhood HL compared with HL that occurs in adolescents and young adults leaving the potential for yet‐to‐be‐identified risk factors specific to this younger age group; and (2) birth defects often show stronger associations with cancer among younger children 35,53 . Therefore, our objective was to evaluate this association by leveraging a Children's Oncology Group (COG) study of incident childhood HL.…”

Etiology of Cancer in Children (Genetic and Non-Genetic Risk Factors)

“…Хотя прямое измерение подверженности инфекциям и результирующего иммунного ответа, как правило, неосуществимо, было использовано несколько косвенных показателей, включая условия рождения, посещение детского сада, грудное вскармливание, истории инфекционных заболеваний и прививки [13]. Выявлен повышенный риск как бытового, так и профессионального воздействия пестицидов на матерей [14]. Исследования воздействия пестицидов в жилых помещениях, как правило, основывались на самоотчетах, которые подвержены предвзятости отзывов, что может привести к завышению оценок риска.…”