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Comparison of birth weight corrected for gestational age and birth weight alone in prediction of development of childhood leukemia and central nervous system tumors
Author(s) -
Sprehe Michael R.,
Barahmani Nadia,
Cao Yumei,
Wang Tao,
Forman Michele R.,
Bondy Melissa,
Okcu M. Fatih
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.22308
Subject(s) - medicine , gestational age , birth certificate , birth weight , odds ratio , pediatrics , logistic regression , obstetrics , gestation , pregnancy , population , genetics , environmental health , biology
High birth weight (HBW) is an established risk factor for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The purpose of this study was to evaluate if birth weight (BW) corrected‐for‐gestational age is a better predictor than BW alone for occurrence of ALL and other malignancies in children. Materials and Methods Birth certificate data of 2,254 children with cancer who were younger than 5 years old at diagnosis and registered at Texas Cancer Registry during 1995–2003 were compared to 11,734 age‐matched controls. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare models with BW corrected‐for‐gestational age and BW alone. Results Compared to children who were appropriate for gestational age (AGA), children who were large for gestational age (LGA) at birth had a 1.66 times (95% CI 1.32–2.10) higher odds of ALL. Similarly, children with a BW ≥4,000 g had a 1.5 times (95% CI 1.18–1.89) higher odds for ALL, compared to children who weighed >2,500 and <4,000 g at birth. Using model diagnostics, the model containing BW corrected‐for‐gestational age was a better predictor than the model with BW alone [Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) 4,646 vs. 4,658, respectively]. Odds ratios (OR) were similar for LGA children who were <4,000 g and LGA children who were ≥4,000 g (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 0.97–2.5 and OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.29–2.16, respectively). BW was not an independent risk factor for acute myeloid leukemia or brain tumors. Conclusion BW corrected‐for‐gestational age is a better predictor than BW alone of risk for ALL. Future studies using BW variable should incorporate gestational age in their analyses. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010;54:242–249. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.