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Cancer Causes & Control
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control 7/2013

01-07-2013 | Original paper

Exposure to pesticides and the risk of childhood brain tumors

Authors: Kathryn R. Greenop, Susan Peters, Helen D. Bailey, Lin Fritschi, John Attia, Rodney J. Scott, Deborah C. Glass, Nicholas H. de Klerk, Frank Alvaro, Bruce K. Armstrong, Elizabeth Milne

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 7/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

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.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Exposure to pesticides and the risk of childhood brain tumors
Authors
Kathryn R. Greenop
Susan Peters
Helen D. Bailey
Lin Fritschi
John Attia
Rodney J. Scott
Deborah C. Glass
Nicholas H. de Klerk
Frank Alvaro
Bruce K. Armstrong
Elizabeth Milne
Publication date
01-07-2013
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 7/2013
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-013-0205-1

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