Maternal diet during pregnancy and its association with medulloblastoma in children: a children's oncology group study (United States).
Fruit, vegetables, vitamin C, and folate during pregnancy have been suggested as protective factors for medulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), a common brain tumor in children. The authors sought to replicate these findings and investigate other aspects of diet. Mothers of 315 cases under age six at diagnosis and 315 controls were interviewed about their pregnancy diet. The authors observed modest, inverse associations for fruits/juices (odds ratio (OR) for highest compared to lowest category = 0.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.3, 1.1) and vitamin C (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4, 1.1). In contrast to the previous study, folate and vegetables showed no association. As hypothesized, cured meats were not associated with medulloblastoma/PNET, in contrast to other childhood brain tumors. An inverse association with non-fresh peaches and similar fruits (OR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3, 0.8) and a positive association with non-chocolate candy (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0, 3.0) replicated previous findings. French fries (OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2, 4.9) and chili peppers (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0, 3.0) were associated with medulloblastoma/PNET. The results suggest that some aspects of diet are worthy of further research.
Bunin
Greta R
GR
Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. bunin@email.chop.edu
Kushi
Lawrence H
LH
Gallagher
Paul R
PR
Rorke-Adams
Lucy B
LB
McBride
Mary L
ML
Cnaan
Avital
A
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002182:Candy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D008460:Meat / Q000009:adverse effects; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018977:Micronutrients; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014675:Vegetables; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000975:Antioxidants; D018977:Micronutrients; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid; D001205:Ascorbic Acid