Gestational risk factors and childhood cancers: a cohort study in Taiwan
Menée en Chine à l'aide de données portant sur 2 079 037 enfants nés entre 2004 et 2014, cette étude analyse l'association entre des facteurs démographiques ou gestationnels et le risque de cancer (1 900 cas), par localisation
Gestational risk factors such as birth weight, gestational age, and parity have been repeatedly found to be related to pediatric cancers, but few reports have emerged from Asian countries. Here we report on demographic and gestational factors in a Taiwanese cohort. This study included all children born in Taiwan 2004–2014 for whom there was a birth record (N = 2,079,037), of which 1900 children had been diagnosed with cancer prior to age 12. We conducted multivariable hazard regression to examine associations between demographic and gestational factors with cancer. Greater parity (family with 2+ older children) was related to AML [Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31, 3.55), central nervous system tumors (HR = 1.67, CI: 1.13, 2.48) and neuroblastoma (HR = 1.67, CI: 1.07, 2.63). Hepatoblastoma cases had a higher risk of low birth weight (<2,500 g; HR = 3.01, CI: 1.85, 4.91), very preterm birth (<33 weeks gestation; HR = 13.71, CI: 7.45, 25.23), plural pregnancies (HR = 2.37, CI: 1.10, 5.14), and both small (HR = 2.13, CI: 1.23, 3.67) and large (HR = 1.83, CI: 1.01, 3.32) for gestational age. Germ cell tumors were more common among children born in rural areas (HR = 1.63, CI: 1.02, 2.60). Despite that Taiwan has lower rates of both high and low birthweight compared to other developed nations, we observed several similar associations to those reported in Western Countries. Further research should examine unique exposures in Asia that may be contributing to higher incidence of certain cancer types. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.