Case-control study of birth characteristics and the risk of hepatoblastoma

Abstract

Background Hepatoblastoma is a malignant embryonal tumor typically diagnosed in children younger than five years of age. Little is known on hepatoblastoma etiology. Methods We matched California Cancer Registry records of hepatoblastomas diagnosed in children younger than age 6 from 1988–2007 to birth records using a probabilistic record linkage program, yielding 261 cases. Controls (n=218,277), frequency matched by birth year to all cancer cases in California for the same time period, were randomly selected from California birth records. We examined demographic and socioeconomic information, birth characteristics, pregnancy history, complications in pregnancy, labor and delivery, and abnormal conditions and clinical procedures relating to the newborn, with study data taken from birth certificates. Results We observed increased risks for hepatoblastoma among children with low [1500–2499 g, Odds Ratio (OR)=2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29–3.15] and very low birthweight (<1500 g, OR=15.4, 95% CI 10.7–22.3), preterm birth <33 weeks (OR=7.27, 95% CI 5.00, 10.6), small size for gestational age (OR=1.75, 95% CI 1.25–2.45), and with multiple birth pregnancies (OR=2.52, 95% CI 1.54–4.14). We observed a number of pregnancy and labor complications to be related to hepatoblastoma, including preeclampsia, premature labor, fetal distress, and congenital anomalies. Conclusions These findings confirm previously reported associations with low birthweight and preeclampsia. The relation with multiple birth pregnancies has been previously reported and may indicate a relation to infertility treatments.

Exposure to ambient dichloromethane in pregnancy and infancy from industrial sources and childhood cancers in California

“…As this was a record-based study, we did not seek informed consent from individual subjects. The demographic and gestational characteristics of cases and controls have been previously reported (Abrahao et al, 2015; Hall et al, 2016; Heck et al, 2012; Heck et al, 2013b; Heck et al, 2014, 2015; Heck et al, 2013c; Shrestha et al, 2013). …”

Coordinated Activities of Multiple Myc-dependent and Myc-independent Biosynthetic Pathways in Hepatoblastoma

“…Although quite rare, its incidence is increased ϳ15-fold in very low birth weight infants (2). An even higher incidence (up to 5000-fold relative risk) occurs in individuals with genetic predispositions such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) who also have high rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) later in life (3,4).…”

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“…weight, with preterm birth o33 weeks, with small size for gestational age, and from multiple birth pregnancies (17), the actual explanation for these observations remains unknown.…”

“…In fact, we found a high percentage of a history of prematurity in our patients, and this percentage has increased in recent years (25%). A case-control study developed by the Childreń s Oncology Group aimed to elucidate the reasons for these associations (17). Children diagnosed with hepatoblastoma had a significantly longer exposure to respiratory support, greater exposure to antibiotics and more radiographic exams than controls.…”