| dc.description.abstract | Background The incidence of childhood leukemia has increased annually. Recent
studies showed that childhood leukemia was initiated in utero, that focused attention
on prenatal risk factors such as birthweight and parental age. Exposure to
pesticides, radiation, parental smoking, breastfeeding, and number of older siblings
have also been suggested as risk factors of childhood leukemia.
Objective To evaluate possible risk factors, including birthweight, parental age and
other risk factors of childhood leukemia in Haji Adam Malik Hospital.
Methods Matching case-control study conducted from October 2011 untill February
2012 in Haji Adam Malik Hospital. Case subjects were children aged below 18 years
and diagnosed with leukemia. Control subjects were children aged below 18 years
who were diagnosed with any non-cancerous acute illnesses in these hospitals,
matching individually based on age and gender. Patients and parents were asked
using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using conditional logistic
regression.
Results A total of 140 subjects were eligible, 70 subjects in each group. Birthweight
2:4000 gr and maternal age 2:35 years were significantly risk factors with OR 10.13
(95% Cl 1.124 to 91.27) and 4.98 (95% Cl 1.276 to 19.445) respectively. Paternal
age 2:35 years was not a significant risk factor. Significantly, exposure to pesticides
was noted as another risk factor (OR=6.66, 95% Cl 2.021 to 21.966).
Conclusion High birthweight, advanced maternal age, and exposure to pesticides
but not paternal age are risk factors of childhood leukemia | en_US |
