Yuhki Koga1, Masafumi Sanefuji2,3, Syunichiro Toya2, Utako Oba2, Kentaro Nakashima2, Hiroaki Ono2, Shunsuke Yamamoto2, Maya Suzuki2, Yuri Sonoda2,3, Masanobu Ogawa3, Hiroyuki Yamamoto2,3, Koichi Kusuhara4,5, Shouichi Ohga2,3. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. yuuki-k@pediatr.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. 3. Research Center for Environment and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. 4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan. 5. Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children's Study, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers are often exposed to hazardous agents and are at risk for adverse health consequences that affect not only themselves but also their infants. This study aimed to examine whether such occupational exposure increased the risk of childhood cancer in offspring. METHODS: We used the dataset of the Japan Environment and Children's Study, a nationwide birth cohort involving over 100,000 mother-child pairs. Information was obtained via successive questionnaires that were completed until the child turned 1 year of age. The parents were asked whether they occupationally handled medical agents during pregnancy. RESULTS: A total of 26 infants developed neoplasms: neuroblastoma, leukemia, and brain tumor. The incidence of neuroblastoma was significantly higher in infants whose mothers were exposed to radiation (3/2142: 140.1 per 100,000 population) than in those who were not (12/90,384: 13.3 per 100,000 population). Multivariable regression analyses revealed a close association between maternal irradiation and the development of neuroblastoma (adjusted incident rate ratio: 10.68 [95% confidence interval: 2.98‒38.27]). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated, for the first time, a potential association between maternal occupational exposure and the occurrence of neuroblastoma in offspring. Further studies involving the large pediatric cancer registries are needed to confirm these preliminary results. IMPACT: Healthcare workers are often exposed to hazardous agents and are at risk for adverse health consequences that affect not only themselves but also their infants. This study examined the association between such occupational exposure and offspring's cancers that developed until the age of 1 year. Maternal exposure to ionizing radiation was associated with infantile neuroblastoma in offspring. Further studies involving the large pediatric cancer registries are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers are often exposed to hazardous agents and are at risk for adverse health consequences that affect not only themselves but also their infants. This study aimed to examine whether such occupational exposure increased the risk of childhood cancer in offspring. METHODS: We used the dataset of the Japan Environment and Children's Study, a nationwide birth cohort involving over 100,000 mother-child pairs. Information was obtained via successive questionnaires that were completed until the child turned 1 year of age. The parents were asked whether they occupationally handled medical agents during pregnancy. RESULTS: A total of 26 infants developed neoplasms: neuroblastoma, leukemia, and brain tumor. The incidence of neuroblastoma was significantly higher in infants whose mothers were exposed to radiation (3/2142: 140.1 per 100,000 population) than in those who were not (12/90,384: 13.3 per 100,000 population). Multivariable regression analyses revealed a close association between maternal irradiation and the development of neuroblastoma (adjusted incident rate ratio: 10.68 [95% confidence interval: 2.98‒38.27]). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated, for the first time, a potential association between maternal occupational exposure and the occurrence of neuroblastoma in offspring. Further studies involving the large pediatric cancer registries are needed to confirm these preliminary results. IMPACT: Healthcare workers are often exposed to hazardous agents and are at risk for adverse health consequences that affect not only themselves but also their infants. This study examined the association between such occupational exposure and offspring's cancers that developed until the age of 1 year. Maternal exposure to ionizing radiation was associated with infantile neuroblastoma in offspring. Further studies involving the large pediatric cancer registries are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Authors: Tara Patton; Andrew F Olshan; Joseph P Neglia; Robert P Castleberry; Joanna Smith Journal: Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol Date: 2004-05 Impact factor: 3.980
Authors: Preetha Rajaraman; Jill Simpson; Gila Neta; Amy Berrington de Gonzalez; Pat Ansell; Martha S Linet; Elaine Ron; Eve Roman Journal: BMJ Date: 2011-02-10