title: Breastfeeding as a Protective Effect Against Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Over the past several years, breastfeeding has been associated with many benefits as well as protective effects against many diseases. There is limited evidence for the relationship between breastfeeding and the incidence of leukemia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we evaluate the correlation of childhood leukemia and lymphoma with breastfeeding duration in children in southern Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through this case control study, we compared 123 patients with leukemia and lymphoma to a control group of 137 healthy children. Statistical analysis was done using the Chi-square test and t-test as well as logistic regression methods. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our findings showed that breastfeeding duration had no significant difference between cases and controls. However, the rural living percentage in patients with leukemia and lymphoma was higher than in the control group (39.8% versus 14.6% [P < 0.001 and OR = 3.87]) and parents' exposure to chemical materials during the war between Iran and Iraq was higher in sick patients (6.5% versus 0% [OR = 20.2%]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current study showed that breastfeeding duration has no protective effect against childhood leukemia and lymphoma. In addition, we suggest that some factors such as living in a rural area, smoking during pregnancy, parents' exposure to chemical materials and low socioeconomic status can increase the incidence rate of childhood leukemia and lymphoma.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mehran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haghighat
authors.affiliation: Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dialameh
authors.affiliation: Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tahmasbi
authors.affiliation: Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Shirin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parand
authors.affiliation: Department of Library and Information Science, College of Humanities, Khouzestan Science and research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bardestani
keywords: Breastfeeding; Leukemia; Lymphoma