Preterm birth, low birth weight, and risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Gastroesophageal reflux is common among preterm infants and those who are small for gestational age, and it is a strong risk factor for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.


METHODS
In a cohort of 3364 individuals born preterm and/or small for gestational age between 1925 and 1949, we assessed the long-term risk for esophageal cancer.


RESULTS
The standardized incidence rate ratio for esophageal adenocarcinoma was increased more than 7-fold in the cohort (standardized incidence rate ratio, 7.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.98-18.62), and a birth weight <2000 g was associated with a more than 11-fold increase in risk (standardized incidence rate ratio, 11.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-41.5).


CONCLUSIONS
The associations may be spurious, but if not, they may be explained by increased gastroesophageal reflux during infancy among infants born preterm and/or small for gestational age.
Kaijser
Magnus
M
Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medicine at Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. magnus.kaijser@medks.ki.se
Akre
Olof
O
Cnattingius
Sven
S
Ekbom
Anders
A
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000150:complications*; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology