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Bamouni S, Hémon D, Faure L, Clavel J, Goujon S. Seasonal variations in childhood leukaemia incidence in France, 1990-2014. Cancer Causes Control 2021; 32:693-704. [PMID: 33829352 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-021-01421-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have addressed the potential seasonality of childhood acute leukaemia (AL) without conclusive results. Using data from the National Registry of Childhood Cancers over 1990-2014 in mainland France, we investigated the seasonal variations in childhood AL taken together, and lymphoblastic (ALL) and myeloid (AML) leukaemia separately. METHODS Assuming constant variations over 1990-2014, we used a Poisson regression model to evaluate variations in standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) by month of birth or diagnosis. A scan method for temporal cluster detection was used to identify windows of several consecutive months with high or low SIR. The yearly reproducibility of the observed monthly variations was then evaluated. RESULTS We included 11,528 AL, of which 9493 ALL and 1,843 AML. No seasonal variation was detected for ALL. With a clear seasonal pattern, differences in AML incidence rates were evidenced between January-April and May-December birth periods (SIR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.77-0.94 and SIR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.14, respectively). AML incidence variations by month of diagnosis were less clear-cut. CONCLUSION Based on a large number of cases from a high-quality registry, we did not evidence any seasonality in ALL incidence rates but evidenced seasonal variations in AML incidence rates by month of birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Bamouni
- Inserm, UMR 1153 Center of Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers team (EPICEA), 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier - Bat 15/16, 94807, Villejuif Cedex, France. .,Université de Paris, Paris, France.
| | - Denis Hémon
- Inserm, UMR 1153 Center of Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers team (EPICEA), 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier - Bat 15/16, 94807, Villejuif Cedex, France.,Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Laure Faure
- Inserm, UMR 1153 Center of Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers team (EPICEA), 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier - Bat 15/16, 94807, Villejuif Cedex, France.,Université de Paris, Paris, France.,French National Registry of Childhood Hematological Malignancies (RNHE), 94807, Villejuif, France
| | - Jacqueline Clavel
- Inserm, UMR 1153 Center of Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers team (EPICEA), 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier - Bat 15/16, 94807, Villejuif Cedex, France.,Université de Paris, Paris, France.,French National Registry of Childhood Hematological Malignancies (RNHE), 94807, Villejuif, France
| | - Stéphanie Goujon
- Inserm, UMR 1153 Center of Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers team (EPICEA), 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier - Bat 15/16, 94807, Villejuif Cedex, France.,Université de Paris, Paris, France.,French National Registry of Childhood Hematological Malignancies (RNHE), 94807, Villejuif, France
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Hassan J, Adil SO, Haider Z, Zaheer S, Anwar N, Nadeem M, Ansari SH, Shamsi T. Seasonal variations in hematological disorders: A 10-year single-center experience. Int J Lab Hematol 2020; 43:93-98. [PMID: 32931145 DOI: 10.1111/ijlh.13337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To assess the seasonal variations in hematological disorders among patients diagnosed on the basis of bone marrow biopsy, who attended National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) clinics during 2006 to 2015. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the 10-year records of hematological disorders among patients' NIBD clinics from year 2006 to 2015. All cases of aplastic anemia (AA), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) were categorized on the basis of the seasons in which they were diagnosed such as winter (December-February), spring (March-May), southwest monsoon periods (June-September), and retreating monsoon period (October and November). Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS and STATA. Inferential statistics were explored using the chi-square test for heterogeneity to evaluate seasonal variations. P-value <0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS A total of 1982 cases were reviewed. Men were predominantly higher (n = 1190, 60%) as compared to women (n = 792, 40%). Frequency of ALL was found to be higher (513, 25.9%), followed by ITP (504, 25.4%), AML (490, 24.7%), AA (396, 20%), while APML was observed in only 79 (4%) patients. Seasonal variations in the diagnosis of hematological disorders were observed (P-value < .001), except in APML diagnosis (P-value = .445). Significant seasonal variations were also detected in both genders in stratified analysis. CONCLUSION The finding of this study has reported an increase in the hematological disorder during 2006 to 2015. Particularly, majority of the cases were reported in southwest monsoon period, whereas least cases were reported in retreating period. Significant seasonal and yearly variations were detected in all diagnosis except the APML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jawad Hassan
- National Institute of Blood Disease and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Zeeshan Haider
- National Institute of Blood Disease and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sidra Zaheer
- Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Nida Anwar
- National Institute of Blood Disease and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Nadeem
- National Institute of Blood Disease and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Saqib Hussain Ansari
- National Institute of Blood Disease and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Tahir Shamsi
- National Institute of Blood Disease and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan
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Lewis P, Hellmich M, Fritschi L, Tikellis G, Morfeld P, Groß JV, Foster RG, Paltiel O, Klebanoff MA, Golding J, Olsen S, Magnus P, Ponsonby AL, Linet MS, Ward MH, Caporaso N, Dwyer T, Erren TC. Perinatal photoperiod and childhood cancer: pooled results from 182,856 individuals in the international childhood cancer cohort consortium (I4C). Chronobiol Int 2020; 37:1034-1047. [PMID: 32233647 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2020.1740724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Experimental evidence suggests that perinatal light imprinting of circadian clocks and systems may affect downstream physiology and cancer risk in later life. For humans, the predominant circadian stimulus is the daily light-dark cycle. Herein, we explore associations between perinatal photoperiod characteristics (photoperiod: duration of daylight as determined by time-of-year and location) and childhood cancer risk. We use pooled data on 182,856 mothers and babies from prospective birth cohorts in six countries (Australia, Denmark, Israel, Norway, UK, USA) within the International Childhood Cancer Cohort Consortium (I4C). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In line with predicted differential dose-responses, restricted cubic splines indicate a potential non-linear, non-monotonic relationship between perinatal mean daily photoperiod (0-24 h) and childhood cancer risk. In a restricted analysis of 154,121 individuals who experienced third trimester photoperiods exclusively within the 8-16-h range, the relative risk of developing childhood cancer decreased by 9% with every hour increase in third trimester mean daily photoperiod [HR: 0.91 (95%CIs: 0.84-0.99)]. In conclusion, in this first study of perinatal photoperiod and childhood cancer, we detected an inverse ["protective"] linear association between third trimester mean daily photoperiod and childhood cancer risk in the 8-16-h set of the total study population. Limited statistical power impeded the investigation of risks with individuals exposed to more extreme photoperiods. Future studies are needed to confirm differential photoperiod-associated risks and further investigations into the hypothesized circadian imprinting mechanism are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Lewis
- Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicine, Environmental Medicine and Prevention Research, University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne, Germany
| | - Martin Hellmich
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Computational Biology (IMSB), Faculty of Medicine & University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne, Germany
| | - Lin Fritschi
- School of Public Health, Curtin University , Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gabriella Tikellis
- Population Epidemiology, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Morfeld
- Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicine, Environmental Medicine and Prevention Research, University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne, Germany
| | - J Valérie Groß
- Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicine, Environmental Medicine and Prevention Research, University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne, Germany
| | - Russell G Foster
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, OMPI G, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford , Oxford, UK
| | - Ora Paltiel
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University , Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mark A Klebanoff
- Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Division of Epidemiology, Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Center for Perinatal Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital , Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jean Golding
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol , Bristol, UK
| | - Sjurdur Olsen
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut , Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Per Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health , Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne-Louise Ponsonby
- Population Epidemiology, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Australia
| | - Martha S Linet
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH , Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mary H Ward
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH , Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Neil Caporaso
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH , Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Terence Dwyer
- Population Epidemiology, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Australia.,The George Institute for Global Health, University of Oxford , UK
| | - Thomas C Erren
- Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicine, Environmental Medicine and Prevention Research, University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne, Germany
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Georgakis MK, Ntinopoulou E, Chatzopoulou D, Petridou ET. Season of birth and primary central nervous system tumors: a systematic review of the literature with critical appraisal of underlying mechanisms. Ann Epidemiol 2017; 27:593-602.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Lewis P, Erren TC. Perinatal light imprinting of circadian clocks and systems (PLICCS): A signature of photoperiod around birth on circadian system stability and association with cancer. Chronobiol Int 2017; 34:782-801. [PMID: 28430521 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2017.1315125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Recent findings from animal models suggest that plasticity of human circadian clocks and systems may be differentially affected by different paradigms of perinatal photoperiod exposure to the detriment of health in later life, including cancer development. Focusing on the example of cancer, we carry out a series of systematic literature reviews concerning perinatal light imprinting of circadian clocks and systems (PLICCS) in animal models, and concerning the risk of cancer development with the primary determinants of the perinatal photoperiod, namely season of birth or latitude of birth. The results from these systematic reviews provide supporting evidence of the PLICCS and cancer rationale and highlight that investigations of PLICCS in humans are warranted. Overall, we discuss findings from experimental research and insights from epidemiological studies. Considerations as to how to "test" PLICCS in epidemiological studies and as to the potential for non-invasive preventative measures during perinatal periods close our synthesis. If the PLICCS rationale holds true, it opens the exciting prospect for amenable, early-life, preventative measures against cancer development (and other disorders) in later life. Indeed, non-invasive anthropogenic light exposure may have enormous potential to alleviate the public health and economic burden of circadian-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Lewis
- a Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicine, Environmental Medicine and Prevention Research , University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
| | - Thomas C Erren
- a Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicine, Environmental Medicine and Prevention Research , University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
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6
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Lippi G, Bonelli P, Buonocore R, Aloe R. Birth season and vitamin D concentration in adulthood. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2015; 3:231. [PMID: 26539448 PMCID: PMC4598443 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.09.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidences suggest that the season of birth may influence human development and vulnerability to develop certain diseases. METHODS A retrospective analysis was hence carried out in the laboratory information system of the University Hospital of Parma (North-West Italy), to retrieve values of total serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) measured in a the whole cohort of unselected outpatients age 18 years and older referred for routine health check-up during January to December 2014. Vitamin D was then stratified according to birth season. RESULTS The study population consisted in 11,150 unselected Italian residents (median age 62 years; 8,592 women and 2,558 men). Serum vitamin D values were found to be significantly lower in subjects born in winter than in those born in spring and summer. More specifically, winter season birth was associated with 11% increased risk of developing vitamin D deficiency later in life compared to spring birth. Daily sunlight hours at birth independently predicted vitamin D concentration in adulthood. CONCLUSIONS The results of this large, cross-sectional retrospective investigation attest that subjects born in winter have a total vitamin D concentration in adulthood that is significantly lower than those born in seasons with longer daylight periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lippi
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Academic Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Patrizia Bonelli
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Academic Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Ruggero Buonocore
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Academic Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Rosalia Aloe
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Academic Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Crump C, Sundquist J, Sieh W, Winkleby MA, Sundquist K. Perinatal risk factors for acute myeloid leukemia. Eur J Epidemiol 2015; 30:1277-85. [PMID: 26113060 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-015-0063-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Infectious etiologies have been hypothesized for acute leukemias because of their high incidence in early childhood, but have seldom been examined for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We conducted the first large cohort study to examine perinatal factors including season of birth, a proxy for perinatal infectious exposures, and risk of AML in childhood through young adulthood. A national cohort of 3,569,333 persons without Down syndrome who were born in Sweden in 1973-2008 were followed up for AML incidence through 2010 (maximum age 38 years). There were 315 AML cases in 69.7 million person-years of follow-up. We found a sinusoidal pattern in AML risk by season of birth (P < 0.001), with peak risk among persons born in winter. Relative to persons born in summer (June-August), incidence rate ratios for AML were 1.72 (95 % CI 1.25-2.38; P = 0.001) for winter (December-February), 1.37 (95 % CI 0.99-1.90; P = 0.06) for spring (March-May), and 1.27 (95 % CI 0.90-1.80; P = 0.17) for fall (September-November). Other risk factors for AML included high fetal growth, high gestational age at birth, and low maternal education level. These findings did not vary by sex or age at diagnosis. Sex, birth order, parental age, and parental country of birth were not associated with AML. In this large cohort study, birth in winter was associated with increased risk of AML in childhood through young adulthood, possibly related to immunologic effects of early infectious exposures compared with summer birth. These findings warrant further investigation of the role of seasonally varying perinatal exposures in the etiology of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Crump
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 1265 Welch Road, MSOB X212, Stanford, CA, 94305-5411, USA.
| | - Jan Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Clinical Research Centre (CRC), Lund University, Building 28, floor 11, Jan Waldenströms gata 35, Skåne University Hospital, SE-205 02, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Weiva Sieh
- Department of Health Research and Policy, Stanford University, HRP Redwood Building, T254B, Stanford, CA, 94305-5405, USA
| | - Marilyn A Winkleby
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Medical School Office Building, 251 Campus Drive, Room X318, Stanford, CA, 94305-5411, USA
| | - Kristina Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Clinical Research Centre (CRC), Lund University, Building 28, floor 11, Jan Waldenströms gata 35, Skåne University Hospital, SE-205 02, Malmö, Sweden
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8
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Crump C, Sundquist J, Sieh W, Winkleby MA, Sundquist K. Perinatal and familial risk factors for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a Swedish national cohort. Cancer 2014; 121:1040-7. [PMID: 25417823 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.29172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Revised: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perinatal factors including high birth weight have been found to be associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in case-control studies. However, to the best of our knowledge, these findings have seldom been examined in large population-based cohort studies, and the specific contributions of gestational age and fetal growth remain unknown. METHODS The authors conducted a national cohort study of 3,569,333 individuals without Down syndrome who were born in Sweden between 1973 and 2008 and followed for the incidence of ALL through 2010 (maximum age, 38 years) to examine perinatal and familial risk factors. RESULTS There were 1960 ALL cases with 69.7 million person-years of follow-up. After adjusting for potential confounders, risk factors for ALL included high fetal growth (incidence rate ratio [IRR] per additional 1 standard deviation, 1.07; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.02-1.11 [P =.002]; and IRR for large vs appropriate for gestational age, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06-1.40 [P =.005]), first-degree family history of ALL (IRR, 7.41; 95% CI, 4.60-11.95 [P<.001]), male sex (IRR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.10-1.31 [P<.001]), and parental country of birth (IRR for both parents born in Sweden vs other countries, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.00-1.27 [P =.045]). These risk factors did not appear to vary by patient age at the time of diagnosis of ALL. Gestational age at birth, season of birth, birth order, multiple birth, parental age, and parental education level were not found to be associated with ALL. CONCLUSIONS In this large cohort study, high fetal growth was found to be associated with an increased risk of ALL in childhood through young adulthood, independent of gestational age at birth, suggesting that growth factor pathways may play an important long-term role in the etiology of ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Crump
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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Investigating the relationship between mortality from respiratory diseases and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Hungary. Pathol Oncol Res 2014; 21:53-7. [PMID: 24806976 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-014-9786-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 04/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Our aim was to investigate the ecological association between death from infectious disease of the respiratory system and the risk of acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL) in children aged less than 7 years. Poisson regression analyses were carried out using overall data and gender-specific models. The study included 176 cases (92(52.3 %) boys and 84 (47.7 %) girls) of ALL in those aged 0-6 years in South Hungary. Eight cases were diagnosed before the age of 1 year. A significant risk of ALL disease was observed with higher levels of mortality from the chronic respiratory diseases (p = 0.035) and pneumonia (p = 0.010) among children aged 2-5 years (Odds Ratio for trend was 1.001 and 95%CI [1.000-1.002] and Odds ratio for trend was 1.013 and 95%CI [1.003-1.023], respectively). Significantly increased risk of childhood ALL was detected among children under 1 year of age residing in areas around birth with higher levels of mortality from influenza (Odds Ratio (OR) for trend was 1.05; 95%CI [1.01-1.09]; p = 0.012). This risk was also detected in girls (p < 0.001), but not in boys (p = 0.43). Our findings provide new evidence that will help to understand the different pattern of female and male childhood ALL occurrence , but further studies are needed using detailed individual medical history to clarify the role of influenza and other infectious diseases in the etiology of childhood ALL and to explain gender-specific effects.
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Við Streym S, Rejnmark L, Mosekilde L, Vestergaard P. No effect of season of birth on risk of type 1 diabetes, cancer, schizophrenia and ischemic heart disease, while some variations may be seen for pneumonia and multiple sclerosis. DERMATO-ENDOCRINOLOGY 2013; 5:309-16. [PMID: 24194971 PMCID: PMC3772919 DOI: 10.4161/derm.22779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2012] [Revised: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background: The risk of type 1 diabetes (T1DM), infections, cancer, schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis (MS) has been associated with environmental factors including vitamin D status.
Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from all children born in Denmark in 1940 (n = 72,839), 1977 (n = 89,570), and 1996 (n = 74,015). Information on contacts to hospitals (1977–2009) was obtained from the National Hospital Discharge Register. The main exposure variable was season of birth as a proxy variable for vitamin D status (summer: April–September and winter: October–March).
Results: No associations between season of birth and risk of MS were seen in the 1940 cohort or the 1996 cohort. In the 1977 cohort, there was a borderline statistically significant decreased risk of MS in those born during wintertime compared with those born during summertime (HR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.47–1.04, p = 0.07). There were no significant differences within the groups regarding season and risk of T1DM at any age, T1DM before 10 y, infection, any type of cancer, schizophrenia and myocardial infarction. In the 1977 cohort the risk of pneumonia was significantly lower among those born in the summer compared with the winter at any age (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85–0.97, p < 0.01) and at age < 10 y (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84–0.97, p < 0.01).
Conclusion: MS and pneumonia in young subjects may be related to season of birth and thus maternal vitamin D exposure. Low sunlight exposure in the winter time leading to low vitamin D levels during pregnancy may be a potential explanation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Við Streym
- Department of Medicine and Endocrinology; MEA; THG; Aarhus University Hospital; Denmark
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van Laar M, Kinsey SE, Picton SV, Feltbower RG. First description of seasonality of birth and diagnosis amongst teenagers and young adults with cancer aged 15-24 years in England, 1996-2005. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:365. [PMID: 23902746 PMCID: PMC3750867 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to examine evidence for an infectious aetiology among teenagers and young adults (TYA) by analysing monthly seasonality of diagnosis and birth amongst 15-24 year olds diagnosed with cancer in England. METHODS Cases of leukaemia, lymphoma and central nervous system (CNS) tumours were derived from the national TYA cancer register (1996-2005). Incidence rates (IR) and trends were assessed using Poisson regression. Seasonality of diagnosis and birth was assessed using Poisson and logistic regression respectively with cosine functions of varying periods. RESULTS There were 6251 cases diagnosed with leukaemia (n = 1299), lymphoma (n = 3070) and CNS tumours (n = 1882), the overall IR was 92 (95% CI 89-96) per 1,000,000 15-24 year olds per year.There was significant evidence of seasonality around the time of diagnosis for Hodgkin's lymphoma (P < 0.001) with a peak in February, and for 'other CNS tumours' (P = 0.010) with peaks in December and June. Birth peaks for those with 'other Gliomas' (Gliomas other than Astrocytoma and Ependymoma) were observed in May and November (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION Our novel findings support an infectious aetiological hypothesis for certain subgroups of TYA cancer in England. Further work will examine correlation with specific infections occurring around the time of birth and diagnosis within certain diagnostic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlous van Laar
- Paediatric Epidemiology Group, Room 8,49 Worsley Building, Clarendon Way, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
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Time trends and seasonal variations in the diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in France. Cancer Epidemiol 2013; 37:255-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2013.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2012] [Revised: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Maternal and prenatal risk factors for childhood leukemia in southern of iran. IRANIAN RED CRESCENT MEDICAL JOURNAL 2011; 13:398-403. [PMID: 22737501 PMCID: PMC3371935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2010] [Accepted: 01/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The causes of childhood leukemia as the most common malignancy in children are vastly unknown.The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between maternal birth characteristics with environmental exposures in childhood leukemia. METHODS This is a case-control study which consists of children younger than 18 years old suffering from leukemia who reside at Fars Province of Iran. Patients were individually matched with variables such as age, sex and residence region. In order to evaluate the relationships between each variable and the risk of leukemia, odds ratio(OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS Statistically, the association between risk of childhood leukemia with birth order (OR=6.177, 95%CI:2.551-14.957), pet ownership (OR=2.565, 95%CI: 1.352-4.868) and history of leukemia in first and second degree relatives (OR=2.667, 95%CI: 1.043-6.815) was significant. However, there was no significant association between daycare attendance, history of miscarriage, number of siblings and history of mother's diagnostic radiology tests with risk of childhood leukemia. CONCLUSION Although no definite etiologic factor for acute childhood leukemia has been clearly defined, the contribution of environmental risk factors in the context of genetic predisposition are strongly elucidated.
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Basta NO, James PW, Craft AW, McNally RJQ. Season of birth and diagnosis for childhood cancer in Northern England, 1968-2005. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2010; 24:309-18. [PMID: 20415761 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2010.01112.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate seasonal variation in the incidence of cancer in children aged 0-14 years. Details of 2959 primary malignant cases (1659 males, 1300 females), diagnosed during the period 1968-2005, were extracted from a specialist registry (the Northern Region Young Persons' Malignant Disease Registry). Seasonal variation was analysed with respect to month of birth and diagnosis. The chi-squared heterogeneity test was used to test for non-uniform variation. Poisson regression analysis was used to fit sinusoidal (harmonic) models to the data, using month of birth and month of diagnosis, respectively, as covariates in separate models. There was significant sinusoidal variation based on month of birth for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) aged 1-6 years (P = 0.04; peak in March). For 0- to 14-year-old boys, there was statistically significant sinusoidal variation in month of birth for acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia (P = 0.04; peak in September) and astrocytoma (P = 0.03; peak in October). Based on month of diagnosis, there was statistically significant sinusoidal variation in girls for all lymphomas (P = 0.048; peak in March) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) (P = 0.005; peak in January), and in boys for osteosarcoma (P = 0.049; peak in October). This study confirms previous findings of seasonal variation around the month of birth for childhood ALL (at the peak ages) and provides further evidence of seasonal variation around month of birth for astrocytoma and around month of diagnosis for HL. The results are consistent with a role for environmental factors in the aetiology of these diagnostic groups. Further studies are needed to examine putative candidate agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nermine O Basta
- Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Staykov D, Radespiel‐Tröger M, Meyer M, Petsch S, Schwab S, Handschu R. Birth Month and Risk of Glioma in Adults: A Registry‐Based Study in Bavaria. Chronobiol Int 2009; 26:282-92. [DOI: 10.1080/07420520902761778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Schmidt LS, Grell K, Frederiksen K, Johansen C, Schmiegelow K, Schüz J. Seasonality of birth in children with central nervous system tumours in Denmark, 1970-2003. Br J Cancer 2009; 100:185-7. [PMID: 19066608 PMCID: PMC2634676 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2008] [Revised: 11/04/2008] [Accepted: 11/13/2008] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated possible seasonal variation of births among children <20 years with a central nervous system tumour in Denmark (N=1640), comparing them with 2,582,714 children born between 1970 and 2003. No such variation was seen overall, but ependymoma showed seasonal variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Schmidt
- Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
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A method to model season of birth as a surrogate environmental risk factor for disease. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2008; 5:49-53. [PMID: 18441405 PMCID: PMC3684403 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph5010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Environmental exposures, including some that vary seasonally, may play a role in the development of many types of childhood diseases such as cancer. Those observed in children are unique in that the relevant period of exposure is inherently limited or perhaps even specific to a very short window during prenatal development or early infancy. As such, researchers have investigated whether specific childhood cancers are associated with season of birth. Typically a basic method for analysis has been used, for example categorization of births into one of four seasons, followed by simple comparisons between categories such as via logistic regression, to obtain odds ratios (ORs), confidence intervals (CIs) and p-values. In this paper we present an alternative method, based upon an iterative trigonometric logistic regression model used to analyze the cyclic nature of birth dates related to disease occurrence. Disease birth-date results are presented using a sinusoidal graph with a peak date of relative risk and a single p-value that tests whether an overall seasonal association is present. An OR and CI comparing children born in the 3-month period around the peak to the symmetrically opposite 3-month period also can be obtained. Advantages of this derivative-free method include ease of use, increased statistical power to detect associations, and the ability to avoid potentially arbitrary, subjective demarcation of seasons.
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Seasonal Variation of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia is Different Between Girls and Boys. Pathol Oncol Res 2008; 14:423-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s12253-008-9017-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2007] [Accepted: 11/15/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Nyari TA, Kajtár P, Parker L. Seasonality of birth and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Perinat Med 2007; 34:507-8. [PMID: 17140306 DOI: 10.1515/jpm.2006.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Buka I, Koranteng S, Osornio Vargas AR. Trends in childhood cancer incidence: review of environmental linkages. Pediatr Clin North Am 2007; 54:177-203, x. [PMID: 17306690 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2006.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cancer in children is rare and accounts for about 1% of all malignancies. In the developed world, however, it is the commonest cause of disease-related deaths in childhood, carrying with it a great economic and emotional cost. Cancers are assumed to be multivariate, multifactorial diseases that occur when a complex and prolonged process involving genetic and environmental factors interact in a multistage sequence. This article explores the available evidence for this process, primarily from the environmental linkages perspective but including some evidence of the genetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Buka
- Paediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, Misericordia Hospital, 3 West, 16940 - 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5R 4H5, Canada.
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Belson M, Kingsley B, Holmes A. Risk factors for acute leukemia in children: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2007; 115:138-45. [PMID: 17366834 PMCID: PMC1817663 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.9023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 294] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2006] [Accepted: 07/13/2006] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Although overall incidence is rare, leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer. It accounts for 30% of all cancers diagnosed in children younger than 15 years. Within this population, acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) occurs approximately five times more frequently than acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and accounts for approximately 78% of all childhood leukemia diagnoses. Epidemiologic studies of acute leukemias in children have examined possible risk factors, including genetic, infectious, and environmental, in an attempt to determine etiology. Only one environmental risk factor (ionizing radiation) has been significantly linked to ALL or AML. Most environmental risk factors have been found to be weakly and inconsistently associated with either form of acute childhood leukemia. Our review focuses on the demographics of childhood leukemia and the risk factors that have been associated with the development of childhood ALL or AML. The environmental risk factors discussed include ionizing radiation, non-ionizing radiation, hydrocarbons, pesticides, alcohol use, cigarette smoking, and illicit drug use. Knowledge of these particular risk factors can be used to support measures to reduce potentially harmful exposures and decrease the risk of disease. We also review genetic and infectious risk factors and other variables, including maternal reproductive history and birth characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Belson
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, Health Studies Branch, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA.
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Abstract
There are three current hypotheses concerning infectious mechanisms in the aetiology of childhood leukaemia: exposure in utero or around the time of birth, delayed exposure beyond the first year of life to common infections and unusual population mixing. No specific virus has been definitively linked with childhood leukaemia and there is no evidence to date of viral genomic inclusions within leukaemic cells. The case-control and cohort studies have revealed equivocal results. Maternal infection during pregnancy has been linked with increased risk whilst breast feeding and day care attendance in the first year of life appear to be protective. There is inconclusive evidence from studies on early childhood infectious exposures, vaccination and social mixing. Some supportive evidence for an infectious aetiology is provided by the findings of space-time clustering and seasonal variation. Spatial clustering suggests that higher incidence is confined to specific areas with increased levels of population mixing, particularly in previously isolated populations. Ecological studies have also shown excess incidence with higher population mixing. The marked childhood peak in resource-rich countries and an increased incidence of the childhood peak in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) (occurring at ages 2-6 years predominantly with precursor B-cell ALL) is supportive of the concept that reduced early infection may play a role. Genetically determined individual response to infection may be critical in the proliferation of preleukaemic clones as evidenced by the human leucocyte antigen class II polymorphic variant association with precursor B-cell and T-cell ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Q McNally
- Cancer Research UK Paediatric and Familial Cancer Research Group, Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
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