Postnatal respiratory distress in a dichorial twin with congenital thoracic neuroblastoma after assisted reproduction by intracytoplasmatic sperm injection

8q deletion in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma of a child born from assisted reproductive technology

The occurrence of pediatric cancer in children born from assisted reproductive technologies has been sporadically reported. Chromosomal characterization of the neoplasic disease in this setting is poorly described. In the present study, neuroblastoma cells from a 13-month-old infant boy born after intracytoplasmatic sperm injection were characterized by combining conventional cytogenetics, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), comparative genomic hybridization, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods. Cytogenetic analysis of neuroblastoma (NB) metaphase spreads at the time of diagnosis revealed numerous centromere-free extrachromosomal double minutes, suggesting high MYCN amplification. Comparative genomic hybridization analysis demonstrated the amplification of 2q24 approximately pter, with additional gain of the long arm of chromosome 17. Chromosome losses involved 8q, 9q, and 11q. No deletion of 1p was found. MYCN amplification was confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. This report describes several chromosomal abnormalities that were present in NB of a child born after intracytoplasmatic sperm injection. Besides some well described and prognostic genetic findings in NB as MYCN amplification, gain on 17q and losses on 9q and 11q23, we report an unusual deletion involving 8q region in this disease. Whether this genetic abnormality may be associated to assisted reproductive technologies deserves further investigation.

Perinatal risk factors for neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer among infants, suggesting an etiologic role for prenatal factors. In this case-cohort study, neuroblastoma cases (n = 529) diagnosed between 1985 and 2001 were identified from the New York State Cancer Registry and were matched to the electronic birth records for 1983-2001 from New York State and New York City. Controls (n = 12,010) were selected from the same birth cohorts. Analysis was stratified by age at diagnosis, with one to six months (younger infants), seven to 18 months (older infants), and older than 18 months (older children) analyzed separately. Perinatal exposure data was obtained from the birth certificates. No risk factors were identified to be consistently associated with risk across all three age groups. Generally, more risk factors were identified as associated with neuroblastoma among younger infants relative to older ages, including high birth weight, heavier maternal gestational weight gain, maternal hypertension, older maternal age, ultrasound, and respiratory distress. Among older infants, low birth weight was associated with increased risk while heavier maternal gestational weight gain was protective. In the oldest age group, first born status, primary cesarean delivery, prolonged labor and premature rupture of the membranes were associated with increased risk.