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Characteristics of pregnancy and birth and malignancy in the offspring (Sweden)

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Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate whether factors of pregnancy and birth influence the risk of malignancy in the offspring.

Methods: Data on all deliveries (248,701 births) in two counties in Sweden 1955–90 were extracted from two birth registries. The follow-up period closed at the end of 1994 and the subjects were followed up to early middle-age at most (39 years). Incidence rates of malignancy were obtained from the Cancer Register 1958–1994. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and relative risks (RR) were calculated.

Results: Overall, few associations were detected. A significantly increased standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 50.00 (95% CI=13.45–99.99) was found for the relationship between Down's syndrome and lymphatic leukaemia. Elder maternal age (35 years) and lymphatic leukaemia were associated with a significantly enhanced risk (SIR=2.00; 95% CI, 1.16–3.20). Maternal age 25–34 years, compared to younger age, was associated with a reduced risk of cervical cancer (RR=0.47; 95% CI=0.26–0.86).

Conclusions: Although some associations, the consistent pattern of non-association indicated a low impact of intrauterine environment or changed genetic material on the future development of malignancy in the offspring up to early middle-age.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sweden

    Ingrid Mogren & Ulf Högberg

  2. Department of Oncology, Umeå University, S-901 85, Sweden

    Lena Damber & Björn Tavelin

Authors
  1. Ingrid Mogren
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  2. Lena Damber
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  3. Björn Tavelin
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  4. Ulf Högberg
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Mogren, I., Damber, L., Tavelin, B. et al. Characteristics of pregnancy and birth and malignancy in the offspring (Sweden). Cancer Causes Control 10, 85–94 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008813701634

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