[Associated risk factors in acute leukemia in children. A cases and controls study].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the risk factors associated with childhood acute leukemia (CHAL).


METHODS
During a year period 47 prevalent and incidental cases with CHAL and 47 controls (healthy children) were included. They were matched by gender, age (+/- 3 years) and residence area. Sociodemographic, gyneco-obstetric, perinatal features, parents' use of alcohol or smoking, exposure to electromagnetic fields and exposure to pesticides 3 months before and during pregnancy were assessed. Associations were assessed using odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI).


RESULTS
The average age was 7.2 +/- 4.4 years; 61.7 % were male. An increased OR was found for domestic (OR = 2.1, CI 95 = % 1.5-2.9) or garden (OR = 1.8, IC 95 % = 1.2-2.6) use of pesticides three months before pregnancy. A non-significant frequency was observed with previous fetal death, neonatal jaundice, smoking 3 months before pregnancy, father intake of alcohol, pesticides use during pregnancy at home or garden and living close (< 60 m) to agricultural fields.


CONCLUSIONS
The domestic or garden use of pesticides three months before pregnancy may play a role in the etiology of CHAL.
Hernández-Morales
Ana Laura
AL
Unidad de Investigación Clínica y Epidemiológica, Hospital General Regional 20, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
Zonana-Nacach
Abraham
A
Zaragoza-Sandoval
Víctor Manuel
VM
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors