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Italian Journal of Pediatrics
Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics 1/2022

01-12-2022 | Lymphoma | Research

Association between maternal breastfeeding and risk of systemic neoplasms of offspring

Authors: Qin-Qin Gong, Dan-Dan Quan, Chong Guo, Chao Zhang, Zhi-Jun Zhang

Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

Breastfeeding might prevent childhood cancer by stimulating the immune system.

Methods

The following databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, were searched from inception to January 10, 2021.

Results

In dose-dependent manner, there was a statistically significant inverse association between any breastfeeding and the incidence of childhood cancer. There was no evidence that breastfeeding was inversely related to childhood cancer of the skeletal, reproductive, or sensory systems. However, breastfeeding was inversely associated with the incidence of hematological malignancies and cancers of the nervous and urinary systems. Among hematological malignancies, the relationship was significant for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but not for acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), or non-HL.

Conclusions

The evidences demonstrated that breastfeeding have a potential protective role in preventing selective childhood cancer growth, especially for ALL, AML, cancer of nervous and urinary systems. This study recommended that breastfeeding be extended for as long as possible or maintained for at least 6 months to prevent selective childhood cancer growth.
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Metadata
Title
Association between maternal breastfeeding and risk of systemic neoplasms of offspring
Authors
Qin-Qin Gong
Dan-Dan Quan
Chong Guo
Chao Zhang
Zhi-Jun Zhang
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Italian Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1824-7288
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-022-01292-9

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