Parental Occupational Exposures and Risk of Childhood Acute Leukemia

Abstract

Introduction:Acute leukemia, accounting for 20% of all cancers diagnosed in individuals younger than 19 years old, is the most prevalent childhood malignancy. Among environmental risk factors, parental occupational exposures have attracted scientific interest as potential predisposing factors for childhood leukemia. The role of parental occupational exposure to social contacts, harmful chemicals, electromagnetic fields and ionizing radiation has been investigated with conflicting and inconsistent results.Aim:A case-control study aiming to assess the association between parental occupational exposures to social contacts, chemicals and electromagnetic fields and the risk of offspring acute leukemia.Material and Methods:108 children with acute leukemia and equal number of matched controls were included. Data on parental occupations before conception, during pregnancy, during breastfeeding and after birth, and on potential risk factors was recorded. Associations between parental exposure and risk of childhood leukemia were estimated.Results:Parental occupational exposure during the four periods of exposure was not associated with childhood leukemia. High birth weight and family history of cancer were associated with the development of childhood acute leukemia. A weak association of maternal medication use during pregnancy and leukemia risk emerged.Conclusions:Since the causative factors of childhood leukemia remain unknown, further investigation is mandatory for the reduction of disease burden.

Association of Parental, Child, and Environmental Factors with the Occurrence of Childhood Leukemia in Upper Egypt

“…Similarly, other studies reported that high birth weights or both high and low extremes of birth weights (U-shaped) elevate the risk of childhood leukemia. (9,10) High birth weights might be associated with a higher rate of cell proliferation and, subsequently, an increase in the precursor cells at risk for malignant changes. (9) Children with previous exposure to diagnostic radiation had a significantly higher risk of developing childhood leukemia.…”

“…(9,10) High birth weights might be associated with a higher rate of cell proliferation and, subsequently, an increase in the precursor cells at risk for malignant changes. (9) Children with previous exposure to diagnostic radiation had a significantly higher risk of developing childhood leukemia. Consistent with this result, American and Canadian case-control studies associated exposure to postnatal diagnostic radiation with an increased risk of childhood leukemia.…”

“…These results were consistent with Greek, Iranian, Malaysian, and Canadian case-control studies reporting a familial contribution to childhood leukemia. (9,29,40,44) The relation between parental smoking and pediatric leukemia remains unclear. In the current study, there were significant differences between cases and controls.…”

“…(8) A positive family history of cancer may predispose children to the development of leukemia. (9) A meta-analysis and review reported subtypespecific leukemia associations with both low and high birth weights. (10) Maternal history of fetal loss and birth by cesarean section were also associated with an elevated risk of childhood leukemia.…”

Cesariana, condições pré-natal e pós-natal e leucemia linfoblástica aguda na infância

“…Estudo caso-controle de base hospitalar realizado na Grécia revelou para a idade da mãe acima de 35 anos associação negativa com LLA na infância (KYRIAKOPOULOU et. al., 2018).…”