Epidemiology

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Birth weight and childhood leukemia: A meta-analysis and review of the current evidence

  1. Robert W. Caughey1,
  2. Karin B. Michels1,2,*

Article first published online: 18 DEC 2008

DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24225

Issue

International Journal of Cancer

International Journal of Cancer

Volume 124, Issue 11, pages 2658–2670, 1 June 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Caughey, R. W. and Michels, K. B. (2009), Birth weight and childhood leukemia: A meta-analysis and review of the current evidence. International Journal of Cancer, 124: 2658–2670. doi: 10.1002/ijc.24225

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA

  2. 2

    Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology Center, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

*Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 25 MAR 2009
  2. Article first published online: 18 DEC 2008
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 18 DEC 2008 12:00AM EST
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 14 NOV 2008
  5. Manuscript Received: 2 OCT 2008

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Keywords:

  • birth weight;
  • early life;
  • epidemiology;
  • leukemia

Abstract

A growing body of evidence suggests that childhood leukemia may be initiated in utero when lymphoid and myeloid cells are not fully differentiated and are particularly susceptible to malignant transformation. A fixed effects meta-analysis examining the association between birth weight and childhood leukemia was conducted including 32 studies and 16,501 cases of all types of leukemia (OL), 10,974 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and 1,832 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The odd ratios (OR) for the association of high birth weight with OL, ALL and AML were 1.35 (95% CI: 1.24, 1.48), 1.23 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.32), and 1.40 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.76), respectively, compared with normal birth weight. Low birth weight was not associated with overall and ALL leukemia, but with AML (OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.13). Per 1000 g increase in birth weight, the OR for OL was 1.18 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.23) and ALL 1.18 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.23). The combined available evidence from observational studies suggests that high birth weight is associated with an increased risk of overall leukemia and ALL. For AML the risk may be elevated at both high and low extremes of birth weight, suggesting a U-shaped association. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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