[Related factors of acute Leukemia in children and the role of breast feeding]

ABSTRACT

In this study we aimed to determine factors related to the etiology of cancer in children. We investigated this issue in a case control study of 300 patients, aged 2 +/- 14 years, with acute leukemia, and 300 controls, individually matched to cases for age and sex, and place of residence. Children were enrolled after selection by a continuous sampling method. Information regarding breast-feeding was obtained through face to face interviews with mothers. Breastfeeding for durations less than one month increased the risk for childhood acute leukemia. Also, results showed that children 18-13 months and 24-19 months were breast fed, respectively, 2.45 and 3.54 times less than had been breastfed children under 1 year were diagnosed with acute leukemia. [P<0.05]. Higher number of children [OR=1.42, CI 1.03-1.96] and low family income [OR=0.6, CI 0.38-1.01] increased the risk for childhood acute leukemia [p<0.05]. Results of this study indicate that childhood acute leukemia may be associated with breast-feeding, economic status, and number of children. Further cohort studies on factors causing acute Leukemia in children are recommended