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Environmental influences on childhood cancer risk: an umbrella review
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  • Evangelia Ntzani,
  • Maria Karalexi,
  • George Markozannes,
  • Christos F. Tagkas,
  • Andreas Katsimpris,
  • Xanthippi Tseretopoulou,
  • Konstantinos K. Tsilidis,
  • Logan Spector,
  • Joachim Schuz,
  • Anna-Bettina Haidich,
  • Tania Siahanidou,
  • Antonio F. Hernández,
  • Eleni Petridou
Evangelia Ntzani
Panepistemio Ioanninon

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Maria Karalexi
Panepistemio Ioanninon
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George Markozannes
Panepistemio Ioanninon
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Christos F. Tagkas
Panepistemio Ioanninon
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Andreas Katsimpris
Hellenic Society for Social Pediatrics and Health Promotion
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Xanthippi Tseretopoulou
Panepistemio Ioanninon
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Konstantinos K. Tsilidis
Panepistemio Ioanninon
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Logan Spector
University of Minnesota Department of Pediatrics
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Joachim Schuz
International Agency for Research on Cancer
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Anna-Bettina Haidich
Aristoteleio Panepistemio Thessalonikes Schole Thetikon Epistemon
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Tania Siahanidou
Ethniko kai Kapodistriako Panepistemio Athenon Tmema Biologias
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Antonio F. Hernández
Universidad de Granada Facultad de Medicina
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Eleni Petridou
Hellenic Society for Social Pediatrics and Health Promotion
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Abstract

Aim: To explore the validity and strength of evidence on the association between environmental factors and risk of developing childhood (0-14 years) cancer. Methods: An umbrella review was conducted including systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational epidemiological studies that examined the association of any environmental exposure of either parent or child with any type of childhood cancer. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched until April 2020. Based on predefined criteria, the evidence was graded into strong, highly suggestive, suggestive or weak. Results: 509 meta-analyses explored environmental exposures and risk of developing 10 different types of childhood cancer. Only 2.4% of the associations were considered to have highly suggestive evidence inferred by strongly statistically significant results. These associations were confined to increased risk of overall leukemia, especially acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in relation to high birthweight, paternal smoking and exposure to pesticides, particularly insecticides. By contrast, maternal multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy (summary odds ratio [OR]: 0.64, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.52, 0.80) and breastfeeding for more than 6 months (summary OR: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.68, 0.84) were supported by highly suggestive evidence for decreased risk of ALL. There was also highly suggestive evidence for increased risk of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, especially astrocytoma, in relation to high birthweight, as well as increased risk of testicular cancer in relation to testicular microlithiasis and isolated cryptorchidism. Conclusions: The present findings provide evidence that exposure to seven maternal/neonatal factors significantly affects the risk of childhood leukemia, CNS tumors and testicular cancer. Further evidence from sufficiently powered studies and large consortia with uniform reporting of analyses is needed to allow firmer conclusions to be drawn.
06 Jun 2022Assigned to Editor
06 Jun 2022Submission Checks Completed
06 Jun 2022Submitted to Pediatric Blood & Cancer
12 Jun 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 Aug 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Aug 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major