title: Exposure to pesticides and the risk of childhood brain tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous research has suggested positive associations between parental or childhood exposure to pesticides and risk of childhood brain tumors (CBT). This Australian case-control study of CBT investigated whether exposures to pesticides before pregnancy, during pregnancy and during childhood, were associated with an increased risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cases were recruited from 10 pediatric oncology centers, and controls by random-digit dialing, frequency matched on age, sex, and State of residence. Exposure data were collected by written questionnaires and telephone interviews. Data were analyzed by unconditional logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The odds ratios (ORs) for professional pest control treatments in the home in the year before the index pregnancy, during the pregnancy, and after the child's birth were 1.54 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07, 2.22), 1.52 (95% CI: 0.99, 2.34) and 1.04 (95% CI: 0.75, 1.43), respectively. ORs for treatments exclusively before pregnancy and during pregnancy were 1.90 (95% CI: 1.08, 3.36) and 1.02 (95% CI: 0.35, 3.00), respectively. The OR for the father being home during the treatment was 1.79 (95% CI: 0.85, 3.80). The OR for paternal occupational exposure in the year before the child's conception was 1.36 (95% CI: 0.66, 2.80). ORs for prenatal home pesticide exposure were elevated for low- and high-grade gliomas; effect estimates for other CBT subtypes varied and lacked precision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that preconception pesticide exposure, and possibly exposure during pregnancy, is associated with an increased CBT risk. It may be advisable for both parents to avoid pesticide exposure during this time.
authors.affiliation: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, West Perth, WA 6872, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathryn R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Greenop
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Helen D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fritschi
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Attia
authors.forename: Rodney J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Deborah C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Glass
authors.forename: Nicholas H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: de Klerk
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alvaro
authors.forename: Bruce K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Milne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012306:Risk; D012923:Social Class
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides