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Benítez L, Castro-Barquero S, Crispi F, Youssef L, Crovetto F, Fischer U, Kameri E, Bueno C, Camos M, Menéndez P, Heinäniemi M, Borkhardt A, Gratacós E. Maternal Lifestyle and Prenatal Risk Factors for Childhood Leukemia: A Review of the Existing Evidence. Fetal Diagn Ther 2024; 51:395-410. [PMID: 38710162 DOI: 10.1159/000539141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute leukemia is the most common pediatric cancer, with an incidence peak at 2-5 years of age. Despite the medical advances improving survival rates, children suffer from significant side effects of treatments as well as its high social and economic impact. The frequent prenatal origin of this developmental disease follows the two-hit carcinogenesis model established in the 70s: a first hit in prenatal life with the creation of genetic fusion lesions or aneuploidy in hematopoietic progenitor/stem cells, and usually a second hit in the pediatric age that converts the preleukemic clone into clinical leukemia. Previous research has mostly focused on postnatal environmental factors triggering the second hit. SUMMARY There is scarce evidence on prenatal risk factors associated with the first hit. Mainly retrospective case-control studies suggested several environmental and lifestyle determinants as risk factors. If these associations could be confirmed, interventions focused on modifying prenatal factors might influence the subsequent risk of leukemia during childhood and reveal unexplored research avenues for the future. In this review, we aim to comprehensively summarize the currently available evidence on prenatal risk factors for the development of childhood leukemia. According to the findings of this review, parental age, ethnicity, maternal diet, folate intake, alcohol consumption, X-ray exposure, pesticides, perinatal infections, and fetal growth may have a significant role in the appearance of preleukemic lesions during fetal life. Other factors such as socioeconomic status, consumption of caffeinated beverages, and smoking consumption have been suggested with inconclusive evidence. Additionally, investigating the association between prenatal factors and genetic lesions associated with childhood leukemia at birth is crucial. Prospective studies evaluating the link between lifestyle factors and genetic alterations could provide indirect evidence supporting new research avenues for leukemia prevention. Maternal diet and lifestyle factors are modifiable determinants associated with adverse perinatal outcomes that could be also related to preleukemic lesions. KEY MESSAGES Parental age, ethnicity, maternal diet, folate intake, alcohol consumption, X-ray exposure, pesticides, perinatal infections, and fetal growth may have a significant role in the appearance of preleukemic lesions during fetal life. Dedicating efforts to studying maternal lifestyle during pregnancy and its association with genetic lesions leading to childhood leukemia could lead to novel prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Benítez
- BCNatal Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,
| | - Sara Castro-Barquero
- BCNatal Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fàtima Crispi
- BCNatal Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lina Youssef
- BCNatal Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute and Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesca Crovetto
- BCNatal Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ute Fischer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Essen/Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ersen Kameri
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Clara Bueno
- Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Leukemia and Immunotherapy Group, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- RICORS-TERAV Network, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Camos
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Menéndez
- Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Leukemia and Immunotherapy Group, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- RICORS-TERAV Network, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Instituciò Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Merja Heinäniemi
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Arndt Borkhardt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Essen/Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eduard Gratacós
- BCNatal Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Blanco-Lopez J, Iguacel I, Pisanu S, Almeida CCB, Steliarova-Foucher E, Sierens C, Gunter MJ, Ladas EJ, Barr RD, Van Herck K, Huybrechts I. Role of Maternal Diet in the Risk of Childhood Acute Leukemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5428. [PMID: 37048042 PMCID: PMC10093835 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Many studies have investigated the etiology of acute leukemia, one of the most common types of cancer in children; however, there is a lack of clarity regarding preventable risk factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current evidence regarding the role of maternal dietary factors in the development of childhood leukemia. All epidemiological studies published until July 2022 that evaluated maternal dietary risk factors for childhood acute leukemia were identified in two electronic databases (PubMed and Web of Science) without limits of publication year or language. A total of 38 studies (1 prospective cohort study, 34 case-control studies and 3 studies with pooled analysis) were included. The published risk estimates were combined into a meta-analysis, using the Generic Inverse Variance method. The maternal consumption of fruits (two or more daily servings vs. less) was inversely associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (odds ratio = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.59-0.86), whereas maternal coffee intake (higher than two cups per day vs. no consumption) was associated with an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (odds ratio = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.12-1.89). Despite these findings, more high-quality research from cohort studies and the identification of causal factors are needed to develop evidence-based and cost-effective prevention strategies applicable at the population level. Review Registration: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42019128937.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isabel Iguacel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Silvia Pisanu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | | | | | - Ciska Sierens
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marc J. Gunter
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Elena J. Ladas
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ronald D. Barr
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology and Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada
| | - Koen Van Herck
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Inge Huybrechts
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, 69007 Lyon, France
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3
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Orimoloye HT, Qureshi N, Lee PC, Wu CK, Saechao C, Federman N, Li CY, Ritz B, Arah OA, Heck JE. Maternal anemia and the risk of childhood cancer: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30188. [PMID: 36600459 PMCID: PMC10773261 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood cancer may be related to maternal health in pregnancy. Maternal anemia is a common condition in pregnancy, especially in low-income countries, but the association between maternal anemia and childhood cancer has not been widely studied. OBJECTIVE To examine the potential relation between maternal anemia during pregnancy and childhood cancers in a population-based cohort study in Taiwan. METHODS We examined the relationship between maternal anemia and childhood cancer in Taiwan (N = 2160 cancer cases, 2,076,877 noncases). Cases were taken from the National Cancer Registry, and noncases were selected from birth records. Using national health registries, we obtained maternal anemia diagnoses. We estimated the risks for childhood cancers using Cox proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS There was an increased risk of cancers in children born to mothers with nutritional anemia (hazard ratio (HR): 1.32, 95% CI 0.99, 1.76). Iron deficiency anemia (HR: 1.30, 95% CI 0.97-1.75) carried an increased risk, while non-nutritional anemias were not associated with childhood cancer risk. CONCLUSION Our results provide additional support for screening for anemia during pregnancy. Adequate nutrition and vitamin supplementation may help to prevent some childhood cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen T. Orimoloye
- College of Health and Public Service, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Naveen Qureshi
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Pei-Chen Lee
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Univ. Paris-Sud, Inserm U1018, Team “Exposome, heredity, cancer and health”, CESP, 94807, Villejuif, France
| | - Chia-Kai Wu
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chai Saechao
- UCLA Health, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Noah Federman
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Chung-Yi Li
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Beate Ritz
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Onyebuchi A. Arah
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Julia E. Heck
- College of Health and Public Service, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
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Nickels EM, Li S, Morimoto L, Kang AY, de Smith AJ, Metayer C, Wiemels JL. Periconceptional folate intake influences DNA methylation at birth based on dietary source in an analysis of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases and controls. Am J Clin Nutr 2022; 116:1553-1564. [PMID: 36178055 PMCID: PMC9761733 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Periconceptional folate intake is associated with the establishment of DNA methylation in offspring; however, variations in this relation by food sources compared with folic acid supplements are not described. Also, maternal folate intake is associated with decreased risk of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but the mechanism is not known. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the relation between periconceptional folate intake by source and DNA methylation at birth in a cohort of pediatric ALL cases and controls in an epigenome-wide association study. METHODS Genome-wide DNA methylation status obtained from archived neonatal blood spots from pediatric ALL cases (n = 189) and controls (n = 205) in the California Childhood Leukemia Study (CCLS) from 1995-2008 was compared with periconceptional folate from total, food, and supplemental sources using multivariable linear regression. Further stratification was performed by income, education, ethnicity, and total folate intake. We evaluated variable DNA methylation response to periconceptional folate by ALL case status through an interaction term. RESULTS Two significant differentially methylated probes (DMPs) were associated with food and supplemental periconceptional folate intake in all subjects (n = 394). The top differentially methylated region at the promoter region of DUSP22(dual specificity phosphatase 22) demonstrated DNA hypermethylation in ALL cases but not in controls in response to total and food folate intake. We further identified 8 interaction term DMPs with variable DNA methylation response to folate intake by ALL case status. Further stratification of the cohort by education and ethnicity revealed a substantially higher number of DMPs associated with supplemental folic acid intake in Hispanic subjects with lower income and educational level. CONCLUSIONS We identified modest associations between periconceptional folate intake and DNA methylation differing by source, including variation by ALL case status. Hispanic subjects of lower income and education appear uniquely responsive to periconceptional folate supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Nickels
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Center for Blood Disease Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shaobo Li
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Libby Morimoto
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Alice Y Kang
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Adam J de Smith
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Catherine Metayer
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Joseph L Wiemels
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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DNA methylation at birth in monozygotic twins discordant for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6077. [PMID: 36241624 PMCID: PMC9568651 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33677-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation constitutes a key feature of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia at diagnosis, however its role as a predisposing or early contributor to leukemia development remains unknown. Here, we evaluate DNA methylation at birth in 41 leukemia-discordant monozygotic twin pairs using the Illumina EPIC array on archived neonatal blood spots to identify epigenetic variation associated with development of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, independent of genetic influence. Through conditional logistic regression we identify 240 significant probes and 10 regions associated with the discordant onset of leukemia. We identify a significant negative coefficient bias, indicating DNA hypomethylation in cases, across the array and enhanced in open sea, shelf/shore, and gene body regions compared to promoter and CpG island regions. Here, we show an association between global DNA hypomethylation and future development of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia across disease-discordant genetically identical twins, implying DNA hypomethylation may contribute more generally to leukemia risk.
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Young SL, Steane SE, Kent NL, Reid N, Gallo LA, Moritz KM. Prevalence and Patterns of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in Australian Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies: A Systematic Review of Data Collection Approaches. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13144. [PMID: 36293721 PMCID: PMC9603223 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study sought to determine data collection approaches in Australian cohort studies and explore the potential impact on reported prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) prevalence and patterns. Inclusion criteria were that studies related to a general Australian antenatal population where PAE was assessed and reported. Studies were excluded if they were not peer reviewed, examined the prevalence of PAE in pregnancies complicated by alcohol-use disorders, or were published in a language other than English. A systematic search of five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus) was conducted. Risk of bias was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool. Results were synthesised using MetaXL. Data from 16 separate birth cohorts (n = 78 articles) were included. Included cohorts were either general cohorts that included alcohol as a variable or alcohol-focused cohorts that were designed with a primary focus on PAE. PAE prevalence was estimated as 48% (95% CI: 38 to 57%). When subgroup analysis was performed, estimates of PAE prevalence when self-administered surveys and interviews were used for data collection were 53% (95% CI: 41% to 64%) and 43% (95% CI: 28% to 59%), respectively. Use of trained assessors was an influencing factor of the prevalence estimates when data were collected via interview. Alcohol-focused studies reported higher prevalence of PAE, regardless of method of survey administration. Where interviewer training is not possible, self-administered questionnaires will likely provide the most reliable PAE estimates. No funding sources are relevant to mention. Review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020204853).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia L. Young
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Sarah E. Steane
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Nykola L. Kent
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Natasha Reid
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Linda A. Gallo
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Petrie, QLD 4502, Australia
| | - Karen M. Moritz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
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Wilson R, O'Connor D. Maternal folic acid and multivitamin supplementation: International clinical evidence with considerations for the prevention of folate-sensitive birth defects. Prev Med Rep 2021; 24:101617. [PMID: 34976673 PMCID: PMC8684027 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
More evidence is available for maternal intake, absorption, distribution, tissue specific concentrations, and pregnancy outcomes with folic acid (fortification/supplementation) during preconception - first trimester. This Quality Improvement prevention review used expert guidelines/opinions, systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational case control/case series studies, published in English, from 1990 to August 2021. Optimization for an oral maternal folic acid supplementation is difficult because it relies on folic acid dose, type of folate supplement, bio-availability of the folate from foods, timing of supplementation initiation, maternal metabolism/genetic factors, and many other factors. There is continued use of high dose pre-food fortification 'RCT evidenced-based' folic acid supplementation for NTD recurrence pregnancy prevention. Innovation requires preconception and pregnancy use of 'carbon one nutrient' supplements (folic acid, vitamin B12, B6, choline), using the appropriate evidence, need to be considered. The consideration and adoption of directed personalized approaches for maternal complex risk could use serum folate testing for supplementation dosing choice. Routine daily folic acid dosing for low-risk women should consider a multivitamin with 0.4 mg of folic acid starting 3 months prior to conception until completion of breastfeeding. Routine folic acid dosing or preconception measurement of maternal serum folate (after 4-6 weeks of folate supplementation) could be considered for maternal complex risk group with genetic/medical/surgical co-morbidities. These new approaches for folic acid oral supplementation are required to optimize benefit (decreasing folate sensitive congenital anomalies; childhood morbidity) and minimizing potential maternal and childhood risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- R.D. Wilson
- Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, FMC NT 435, 1403 29 St NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - D.L. O'Connor
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
The vitamin status of a child depends on many factors and most of the clinical studies do not take into account the different access to adequate nutrition of children coming from different countries and the consequent major differences in micronutrients or vitamin deficits between low-income and high-income countries. Vitamin supplements are included in the general field of dietary supplements. There is a large amount of not always factual material concerning vitamin supplements, and this may sometimes create confusion in clinicians and patients. Inadequate information may lead to the risk of attributing beneficial properties leading to their over-use or misuse in the paediatric field. Vitamin supplementation is indicated in all those conditions in which a vitamin deficiency is found, either because of a reduced intake due to reduced availability of certain foods, restrictive diets or inadequate absorption. The lack of guidelines in these fields may lead paediatricians to an improper use of vitamins, both in terms of excessive use or inadequate use. This is due to the fact that vitamin supplementation is often intended as a therapy of support rather than an essential therapeutic tool able to modify disease prognosis. In fact, various vitamins and their derivatives have therapeutic potential in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, especially in emerging conditions of paediatric age such as type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. The aim of the present article is to analyse the state of the art and consider new perspectives on the role of vitamin supplements in children.
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Lupo PJ, Spector LG. Cancer Progress and Priorities: Childhood Cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020; 29:1081-1094. [DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-19-0941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Wan Ismail WR, Abdul Rahman R, Rahman NAA, Atil A, Nawi AM. The Protective Effect of Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation on Childhood Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Case-control Studies. J Prev Med Public Health 2019; 52:205-213. [PMID: 31390683 PMCID: PMC6686110 DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.19.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Maternal folic acid supplementation is considered mandatory in almost every country in the world to prevent congenital malformations. However, little is known about the association of maternal folic acid intake with the occurrence of childhood cancer. Hence, this study aimed to determine the effects of maternal folic acid consumption on the risk of childhood cancer. METHODS A total of 158 related articles were obtained from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ProQuest using standardized keywords, of which 17 were included in the final review. RESULTS Eleven of the 17 articles showed a significant protective association between maternal folic acid supplementation and childhood cancer. Using a random-effects model, pooled odds ratios (ORs) showed a protective association between maternal folic acid supplementation and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (OR, 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 0.86). However, there was no significant association between maternal folic acid supplementation and acute myeloid leukaemia (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.46 to 1.06) or childhood brain tumours (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.19). CONCLUSIONS Maternal folic acid supplementation was found to have a protective effect against childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Thus, healthcare professionals are recommended to provide regular health education and health promotion to the community on the benefits of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Rosmawati Wan Ismail
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Raudah Abdul Rahman
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur Ashiqin Abd Rahman
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Azman Atil
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Azmawati Mohammed Nawi
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Potter C, Moorman AV, Relton CL, Ford D, Mathers JC, Strathdee G, McKay JA. Maternal Red Blood Cell Folate and Infant Vitamin B 12 Status Influence Methylation of Genes Associated with Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Mol Nutr Food Res 2018; 62:e1800411. [PMID: 30192066 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201800411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE Inadequate maternal folate intake is associated with increased childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk. Folate provides methyl groups for DNA methylation, which is dramatically disrupted in ALL. Whether or not maternal folate (and related B-vitamin) intake during pregnancy may affect ALL risk via influencing DNA methylation is investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS Genes in which methylation changes are reported both in response to folate status and in ALL are investigated. Folate-responsive genes (n = 526) are identified from mouse models of maternal folate depletion during pregnancy. Using published data, 2621 genes with persistently altered methylation in ALL are identified. Overall 25 overlapping genes are found, with the same directional methylation change in response to folate depletion and in ALL. Hypermethylation of a subset of genes (ASCL2, KCNA1, SH3GL3, SRD5A2) in ALL is confirmed by measuring 20 patient samples using pyrosequencing. In a nested cohort of cord blood samples (n = 148), SH3GL3 methylation is inversely related to maternal RBC folate concentrations (p = 0.008). Furthermore, ASCL2 methylation is inversely related to infant vitamin B12 levels. (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION Findings demonstrate proof of concept for a plausible mechanism, i.e., variation in DNA methylation, by which low intake of folate, and related B-vitamins during pregnancy may influence ALL risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Potter
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Anthony Vincent Moorman
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | | | - Dianne Ford
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8SG, UK
| | - John Cummings Mathers
- Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Gordon Strathdee
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Jill Ann McKay
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8SG, UK.,Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute for Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
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12
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Pawlak R. To vegan or not to vegan when pregnant, lactating or feeding young children. Eur J Clin Nutr 2017; 71:1259-1262. [PMID: 28745335 DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2017.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 06/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R Pawlak
- Department of Nutrition Science, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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13
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Qin X, Shen L, Zhang R, Li Y, Wang X, Wang B, Jiang X, Jiang H, Lei Y, Hou FF, Gu J, Huo Y. Effect of folic acid supplementation on cancer risk among adults with hypertension in China: A randomized clinical trial. Int J Cancer 2017; 141:837-847. [PMID: 26991917 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xianhui Qin
- National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease; State Key Laboratory for Organ Failure Research; Renal Division; Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Guangzhou China
| | - Lin Shen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology; Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing Cancer Hospital; Beijing China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Medical Imaging and Minimally Invasive Interventional center; Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University &State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China; Guangzhou China
| | - Youbao Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease; State Key Laboratory for Organ Failure Research; Renal Division; Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Guangzhou China
| | - Xiaobin Wang
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Baltimore MD
| | - Binyan Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease; State Key Laboratory for Organ Failure Research; Renal Division; Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Guangzhou China
| | - Xiaodong Jiang
- Department of Oncology; First People's Hospital; Lianyungang China
| | - Hua Jiang
- Department of Oncology; Second People's Hospital; Lianyungang China
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Oncology; First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University; Hefei China
| | - Fan Fan Hou
- National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease; State Key Laboratory for Organ Failure Research; Renal Division; Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Guangzhou China
| | - Jin Gu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Colorectal Surgery; Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences; Beijing China
| | - Yong Huo
- Department of Cardiology; Peking University First Hospital; Beijing China
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14
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McKay JA, Xie L, Adriaens M, Evelo CT, Ford D, Mathers JC. Maternal folate depletion during early development and high fat feeding from weaning elicit similar changes in gene expression, but not in DNA methylation, in adult offspring. Mol Nutr Food Res 2017; 61. [DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201600713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jill A. McKay
- Human Nutrition Research Centre; Institute for Health and Society; Newcastle University; UK
| | - Long Xie
- Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine; Newcastle University; UK
| | - Michiel Adriaens
- Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology; Maastricht The Netherlands
| | - Chris T. Evelo
- Department of Bioinformatics - BiGCaT; Maastricht University; Maastricht The Netherlands
| | - Dianne Ford
- Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences; Newcastle University; UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences; Northumbria University; UK
| | - John C. Mathers
- Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine; Newcastle University; UK
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15
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Dessypris N, Karalexi MA, Ntouvelis E, Diamantaras AA, Papadakis V, Baka M, Hatzipantelis E, Kourti M, Moschovi M, Polychronopoulou S, Sidi V, Stiakaki E, Petridou ET. Association of maternal and index child's diet with subsequent leukemia risk: A systematic review and meta analysis. Cancer Epidemiol 2017; 47:64-75. [PMID: 28130996 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exploring the effect of maternal and/or childhood diet on offspring leukemogenesis is challenging, given differences in food group categories, their potentially variable impact depending on time window of exposure and the multiple leukemia subtypes. We opted to quantitatively synthesize published data on the association of maternal/child diet with leukemia risk. METHODS Medline was searched until June 30th, 2016 for eligible articles on the association of childhood leukemia with consumption of (i) food groups, excluding alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and (ii) specific dietary supplements before/during index pregnancy and childhood. RESULTS Eighteen studies of case-control design (N=11,720 cases/18,721 controls) were included, of which nine assessed maternal dietary components, five index child's and four both, mainly focusing on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Statistically significant inverse estimates for ALL were found (2 studies, 413 cases, 490 controls) for fruit (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.99); vegetables (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.94); legumes (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.94); fish (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.53, among the 0-4year old; 2 studies 215 cases, 215 controls); preconception folic acid supplementation (OR: 0.69, 95%CI: 0.50-0.95; published meta analysis plus 2 studies, 3511 cases, 6816 controls); and use of vitamins during pregnancy (OR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.74-0.88; published meta analysis plus one study, 5967 cases, 8876 controls). The associations (2 studies) of the remaining food groups and maternal dietary supplements consumption during pregnancy as well as of childhood diet and supplements intake (2-4 studies) were non significant. CONCLUSIONS Maternal consumption of specific food groups comprising"healthy" items of the Mediterranean diet, preconception use of folic acid and intake of vitamins during pregnancy were associated with decreased ALL risk. Further research is needed, however preferably with homogeneous dietary information and data on immunophenotypic/cytogenetic subtypes to also explore the interaction of specific macro- and micronutrients intake with gene polymorphisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Dessypris
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece
| | - Maria A Karalexi
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Ntouvelis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas-Antonios Diamantaras
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece; Neurologische Klinik, Klinikum Mittelbaden Rastatt, Rastatt, Germany
| | - Vassilios Papadakis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece
| | - Margarita Baka
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, "Pan.&Agl. Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanuel Hatzipantelis
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Kourti
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Moschovi
- Haematology-Oncology Unit, First Department of Pediatrics, Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Polychronopoulou
- Department of Pediatric Haematology-Oncology, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Sidi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eftichia Stiakaki
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eleni Th Petridou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece.
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16
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Li K, Wahlqvist ML, Li D. Nutrition, One-Carbon Metabolism and Neural Tube Defects: A Review. Nutrients 2016; 8:nu8110741. [PMID: 27886045 PMCID: PMC5133124 DOI: 10.3390/nu8110741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of severe congenital malformations, induced by the combined effects of genes and the environment. The most valuable finding so far has been the protective effect of folic acid supplementation against NTDs. However, many women do not take folic acid supplements until they are pregnant, which is too late to prevent NTDs effectively. Long-term intake of folic acid–fortified food is a good choice to solve this problem, and mandatory folic acid fortification should be further promoted, especially in Europe, Asia and Africa. Vitamin B2, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, choline, betaine and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can also reduce the NTD risk by interacting with the one-carbon metabolism pathway. This suggest that multivitamin B combined with choline, betaine and n-3 PUFAs supplementation may have a better protective effect against NTDs than folic acid alone. Genetic polymorphisms involved in one-carbon metabolism are associated with NTD risk, and gene screening for women of childbearing age prior to pregnancy may help prevent NTDs induced by the risk allele. In addition, the consumption of alcohol, tea and coffee, and low intakes of fruit and vegetable are also associated with the increased risk of NTDs, and should be avoided by women of childbearing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelei Li
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Mark L Wahlqvist
- Fuli Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
- Monash Asia Institute and Departments of Medicine and of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Melbourne 3006, Australia.
| | - Duo Li
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
- Monash Asia Institute and Departments of Medicine and of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Melbourne 3006, Australia.
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17
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Metayer C, Dahl G, Wiemels J, Miller M. Childhood Leukemia: A Preventable Disease. Pediatrics 2016; 138:S45-S55. [PMID: 27940977 PMCID: PMC5080868 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2015-4268h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In contrast to most pediatric cancers, there is a growing body of literature, nationally and internationally, that has implicated the role of several environmental indoor and outdoor hazards in the etiology of childhood leukemia. For example, exposures to solvents, traffic, pesticides, and tobacco smoke have consistently demonstrated positive associations with the risk of developing childhood leukemia. Intake of vitamins and folate supplementation during the preconception period or pregnancy has been demonstrated to have a protective effect. Despite the strength of these findings, the dissemination of this knowledge to clinicians has been limited. Some children may be more vulnerable than others as documented by the high and increasing incidence of childhood leukemia in Hispanics. To protect children's health, it is prudent to establish programs to alter exposure to those factors with well-established associations with leukemia risk rather than to suspend judgment until no uncertainty remains. This is particularly true because other serious health outcomes (both negative and positive) have been associated with the same exposures. We draw from historical examples to put in perspective the arguments of association versus causation, as well as to discuss benefits versus risks of immediate and long-term preventive actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Metayer
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California;
| | - Gary Dahl
- School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California; and
| | - Joe Wiemels
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and
| | - Mark Miller
- Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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18
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Organ-Specific Gene Expression Changes in the Fetal Liver and Placenta in Response to Maternal Folate Depletion. Nutrients 2016; 8:nu8100661. [PMID: 27782079 PMCID: PMC5084047 DOI: 10.3390/nu8100661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence supports the hypothesis that the in utero environment can have profound implications for fetal development and later life offspring health. Current theory suggests conditions experienced in utero prepare, or "programme", the fetus for its anticipated post-natal environment. The mechanisms responsible for these programming events are poorly understood but are likely to involve gene expression changes. Folate is essential for normal fetal development and inadequate maternal folate supply during pregnancy has long term adverse effects for offspring. We tested the hypothesis that folate depletion during pregnancy alters offspring programming through altered gene expression. Female C57BL/6J mice were fed diets containing 2 mg or 0.4 mg folic acid/kg for 4 weeks before mating and throughout pregnancy. At 17.5 day gestation, genome-wide gene expression was measured in male fetal livers and placentas. In the fetal liver, 989 genes were expressed differentially (555 up-regulated, 434 down-regulated) in response to maternal folate depletion, with 460 genes expressed differentially (250 up-regulated, 255 down-regulated) in the placenta. Only 25 differentially expressed genes were common between organs. Maternal folate intake during pregnancy influences fetal gene expression in a highly organ specific manner which may reflect organ-specific functions.
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19
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Abstract
Previous studies on maternal nutrition and childhood leukaemia risk have focused on the role of specific nutrients such as folate and have not considered broader measures of diet quality, which may better capture intake of diverse nutrients known to impact fetal development. We examined the relationship between maternal diet quality before pregnancy, as summarised by a diet quality index, and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in a case-control study in California. Dietary intake in the year before pregnancy was assessed using FFQ in 681 ALL cases, 103 AML cases and 1076 matched controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate OR and 95 % CI for diet quality continuous score and quartiles (Q1-Q4). Higher maternal diet quality score was associated with reduced risk of ALL (OR 0·66; 95 % CI 0·47, 0·93 for Q4 v. Q1) and possibly AML (OR 0·42; 95 % CI 0·15, 1·15 for Q4 v. Q1). No single index component appeared to account for the association. The association of maternal diet quality with risk of ALL was stronger in children diagnosed under the age of 5 years and in children of women who did not report using vitamin supplements before pregnancy. These findings suggest that the joint effects of many dietary components may be important in influencing childhood leukaemia risk.
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20
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Whitehead TP, Metayer C, Wiemels JL, Singer AW, Miller MD. Childhood Leukemia and Primary Prevention. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 2016; 46:317-352. [PMID: 27968954 PMCID: PMC5161115 DOI: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Leukemia is the most common pediatric cancer, affecting 3800 children per year in the United States. Its annual incidence has increased over the last decades, especially among Latinos. Although most children diagnosed with leukemia are now cured, many suffer long-term complications, and primary prevention efforts are urgently needed. The early onset of leukemia-usually before 5 years of age-and the presence at birth of "pre-leukemic" genetic signatures indicate that pre- and postnatal events are critical to the development of the disease. In contrast to most pediatric cancers, there is a growing body of literature-in the United States and internationally-that has implicated several environmental, infectious, and dietary risk factors in the etiology of childhood leukemia, mainly for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common subtype. For example, exposures to pesticides, tobacco smoke, solvents, and traffic emissions have consistently demonstrated positive associations with the risk of developing childhood leukemia. In contrast, intake of vitamins and folate supplementation during the preconception period or pregnancy, breastfeeding, and exposure to routine childhood infections have been shown to reduce the risk of childhood leukemia. Some children may be especially vulnerable to these risk factors, as demonstrated by a disproportionate burden of childhood leukemia in the Latino population of California. The evidence supporting the associations between childhood leukemia and its risk factors-including pooled analyses from around the world and systematic reviews-is strong; however, the dissemination of this knowledge to clinicians has been limited. To protect children's health, it is prudent to initiate programs designed to alter exposure to well-established leukemia risk factors rather than to suspend judgment until no uncertainty remains. Primary prevention programs for childhood leukemia would also result in the significant co-benefits of reductions in other adverse health outcomes that are common in children, such as detriments to neurocognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd P Whitehead
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA; Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Leukemia and the Environment, University of California, Berkeley, CA.
| | - Catherine Metayer
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA; Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Leukemia and the Environment, University of California, Berkeley, CA
| | - Joseph L Wiemels
- Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Leukemia and the Environment, University of California, Berkeley, CA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Amanda W Singer
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA
| | - Mark D Miller
- Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Leukemia and the Environment, University of California, Berkeley, CA; Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, University of California, San Francisco, CA
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21
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Abiri B, Kelishadi R, Sadeghi H, Azizi-Soleiman F. Effects of Maternal Diet During Pregnancy on the Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Systematic Review. Nutr Cancer 2016; 68:1065-72. [PMID: 27472187 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2016.1206581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in children that can be affected by maternal diet. The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal dietary risk factors of ALL. We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Springer Link, Wiley Online, Science Direct, Mosby, ISI Web of Science, OVID, ProQuest, and Scopus from database inception until February 2, 2016. Two reviewers scanned titles, abstracts, and keywords of articles after excluding duplicates. We included case-control studies evaluating the relationship between maternal diet during pregnancy and childhood ALL. The search resulted in 2,940 papers, of which 11 full-text articles met the criteria for inclusion in the review and were analyzed. The finding of these studies suggest that maternal diet composed largely of vegetables, fruits, and protein sources before and during pregnancy can reduce the risk of ALL in offspring. Maternal alcohol intake had no effect. Nevertheless, inherent limitations of case-control studies like measurement error, random error, recall bias, and selection bias preclude conclusive evidence. Persuading pregnant women to follow a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and protein may reduce the risk of childhood ALL. Avoiding alcohol intake seems prudent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnaz Abiri
- a Department of Nutrition , School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Roya Kelishadi
- b Department of Pediatrics , Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan , Iran
| | - Homa Sadeghi
- c Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland , Finland
| | - Fatemeh Azizi-Soleiman
- a Department of Nutrition , School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
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22
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Amitay EL, Dubnov Raz G, Keinan-Boker L. Breastfeeding, Other Early Life Exposures and Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma. Nutr Cancer 2016; 68:968-77. [PMID: 27352124 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2016.1190020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Childhood cancer incidence increases and although rare, it is a leading cause of mortality. Leukemia and lymphoma comprise 40% of all cancers in children but little is known of their etiology. In this study, we examined the associations of breastfeeding and other early life exposures with childhood leukemia and lymphoma. A population-based case-control study carried out in 2011-2013 comprised mothers of 190 incidents (2005-2013) of leukemia/lymphoma cases aged 1-19 yr at diagnosis and 384 population-based controls. Interviews based on a computerized structured questionnaire were conducted with the mothers. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders assessed the association between breastfeeding patterns and childhood leukemia/lymphoma. Ever breastfeeding category was associated with a 64% decreased risk for childhood leukemia/lymphoma lsqb;odds ratio (OR) = 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22, 0.60lrqb; and similar trends, with a dose-response effect, were observed for any breastfeeding (exclusive and/or partial) category for 6, 12, and 18+ mo. Other infant exposures associated with cancer risk were child iron supplementation (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.59), pet ownership (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.78), paternal smoking (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.18, 3.15), and having older siblings (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.33). Breastfeeding-a controllable and modifiable exposure-is inversely associated with risk for childhood leukemia and lymphoma with a dose-response effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrat Lev Amitay
- a School of Public Health , University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel
| | - Gal Dubnov Raz
- b Exercise, Lifestyle and Nutrition Clinic , The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center , Ramat Gan , Israel.,c Israel Center for Disease Control , Ministry of Health , Ramat Gan , Israel
| | - Lital Keinan-Boker
- c Israel Center for Disease Control , Ministry of Health , Ramat Gan , Israel.,d School of Public Health , Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel
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23
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Singer AW, Selvin S, Block G, Golden C, Carmichael SL, Metayer C. Maternal prenatal intake of one-carbon metabolism nutrients and risk of childhood leukemia. Cancer Causes Control 2016; 27:929-40. [PMID: 27294727 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-016-0773-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Folate, vitamins B12 and B6, riboflavin, and methionine are critical nutrients for the one-carbon metabolism cycle involved in DNA synthesis and epigenetic processes. We examined the association between maternal intake of these nutrients before pregnancy and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a matched case-control study. METHODS Maternal dietary intake and vitamin supplement use in the year before pregnancy was assessed by food frequency questionnaire for 681 ALL cases, 103 AML cases, and 1076 controls. Principal component analysis was used to construct a variable representing combined nutrient intake, and conditional logistic regression estimated the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association of ALL and AML with the principal component and each nutrient. RESULTS Higher maternal intake of one-carbon metabolism nutrients from food and supplements combined was associated with reduced risk of ALL (OR for one-unit change in the principal component = 0.91, CI 0.84-0.99) and possibly AML (OR for the principal component = 0.83, CI 0.66-1.04). When analyzed separately, intake of supplements high in these nutrients was associated with a reduced risk of ALL in children of Hispanic women only. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, these data suggest that higher maternal intake of one-carbon metabolism nutrients may reduce risk of childhood leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda W Singer
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 1995 University Avenue, Suite 460, Berkeley, CA, 94704, USA.
| | - Steve Selvin
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 1995 University Avenue, Suite 460, Berkeley, CA, 94704, USA
| | - Gladys Block
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 1995 University Avenue, Suite 460, Berkeley, CA, 94704, USA
| | | | - Suzan L Carmichael
- Division of Neonatology and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Catherine Metayer
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 1995 University Avenue, Suite 460, Berkeley, CA, 94704, USA
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24
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McKay JA, Adriaens M, Evelo CT, Ford D, Mathers JC. Gene promoter DNA methylation patterns have a limited role in orchestrating transcriptional changes in the fetal liver in response to maternal folate depletion during pregnancy. Mol Nutr Food Res 2016; 60:2031-42. [PMID: 27133805 PMCID: PMC5031189 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201600079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE Early-life exposures are critical in fetal programming and may influence function and health in later life. Adequate maternal folate consumption during pregnancy is essential for healthy fetal development and long-term offspring health. The mechanisms underlying fetal programming are poorly understood, but are likely to involve gene regulation. Epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation, regulate gene expression and are modifiable by folate supply. We observed transcriptional changes in fetal liver in response to maternal folate depletion and hypothesized that these changes are concomitant with altered gene promoter methylation. METHODS AND RESULTS Female C57BL/6J mice were fed diets containing 2 or 0.4 mg folic acid/kg for 4 wk before mating and throughout pregnancy. At 17.5-day gestation, genome-wide gene expression and promoter methylation were measured by microarray analysis in male fetal livers. While 989 genes were differentially expressed, 333 promoters had altered methylation (247 hypermethylated, 86 hypomethylated) in response to maternal folate depletion. Only 16 genes had both expression and methylation changes. However, most methylation changes occurred in genomic regions neighboring expression changes. CONCLUSION In response to maternal folate depletion, altered expression at the mRNA level was not associated with altered promoter methylation of the same gene in fetal liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill A McKay
- Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Michiel Adriaens
- Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology-MaCSBio, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Chris T Evelo
- Department of Bioinformatics-BiGCaT, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Dianne Ford
- Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - John C Mathers
- Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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25
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Momen NC, Olsen J, Gissler M, Li J. Exposure to maternal smoking during pregnancy and risk of childhood cancer: a study using the Danish national registers. Cancer Causes Control 2015; 27:341-9. [PMID: 26689564 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-015-0707-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The relation between maternal smoking during pregnancy and childhood cancer in the offspring remains uncertain. This paper uses Danish national registers, which have collected data prospectively on smoking and cancer, to investigate the association. METHODS Smoking during pregnancy was ascertained from maternal self-reported data in the Danish National Patient Register. Index children were followed up from birth until the first of the following events: cancer diagnosis, death, emigration, day before 15th birthday, or end of follow-up. Smoking during pregnancy was considered as a binary variable (no smoking in pregnancy and smoking in pregnancy) and by amounts smoked (no smoking, cessation during pregnancy, ≤5, 6-10, or ≥11 cigarettes/day). RESULTS Of the 801,867 children included in the study, 20 % were exposed to maternal smoking during pregnancy. Overall, the hazard ratio (HR) for childhood cancer for the exposed compared to the non-exposed was 0.91 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.78, 1.07]. Stratification by number of cigarettes also gave statistically nonsignificant inverse associations. There was a statistically significant increased risk of childhood cancer among children whose mothers reported smoking cessation in pregnancy (HR 1.46; 95 % CI 1.01, 2.10). Regarding specific cancer sites, maternal smoking in pregnancy was positively associated with the risk of eye cancers in childhood. CONCLUSIONS Our results do not provide evidence for an association between maternal smoking in pregnancy and childhood cancer overall. An increased risk of childhood cancer was seen for children whose mothers reported smoking cessation in pregnancy. Future research could employ biomarkers, such as cotinine, to validate maternal smoking status recorded in registers as, even if collected prospectively, this self-reported variable may be subject to reporting bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Momen
- Section for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Alle 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Section for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Alle 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Mika Gissler
- THL National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.,Nordic School of Public Health NHV, Göthenburg, Sweden
| | - Jiong Li
- Section for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Alle 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
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Bailey HD, Miller M, Greenop KR, Bower C, Attia J, Marshall GM, Armstrong BK, Milne E. Paternal intake of folate and vitamins B6 and B12 before conception and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer Causes Control 2014; 25:1615-25. [PMID: 25281326 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-014-0466-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated whether paternal dietary intake of folate before conception is associated with the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in a nationwide case-control study. METHODS Data on dietary folate intake during the 6 months before the child's conception were collected from 285 case fathers and 595 control fathers using a dietary questionnaire. Nutrient intake was quantified using a customized computer software package based on Australian food composition databases. Data on folate intake were analyzed using unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for study-matching variables, total energy, and potentially confounding variables. In a subset of 229 cases and 420 controls, data on vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 intake were also analyzed. RESULTS No consistent associations were seen with paternal dietary intake of folate or vitamin B6. Higher levels of paternal dietary vitamin B12 were appeared to be associated with an increased risk of childhood ALL, with those in the highest tertile of consumption having an OR of 1.51 (0.97, 2.36). The use of supplements containing folate and vitamins B6 or B12 was rare. CONCLUSIONS We did not find any biologically plausible evidence that paternal nutrition in the period leading up to conception was associated with childhood ALL. Our finding for vitamin B12 may be a chance finding, given the number of analyses performed, or be attributable to participation bias because parents with a tertiary education had the lowest level of B12 intake and tertiary education was more common among control than case parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen D Bailey
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372, Lyon Cedex 08, France,
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Greenop KR, Miller M, de Klerk NH, Scott RJ, Attia J, Ashton LJ, Dalla-Pozza L, Bower C, Armstrong BK, Milne E. Maternal Dietary Intake of Folate and Vitamins B6 and B12 During Pregnancy and Risk of Childhood Brain Tumors. Nutr Cancer 2014; 66:800-9. [DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2014.916326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Lupo PJ, Dietz DJ, Kamdar KY, Scheurer ME. Gene-environment interactions and the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: exploring the role of maternal folate genes and folic Acid fortification. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2014; 31:160-8. [PMID: 24087922 DOI: 10.3109/08880018.2013.825684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have evaluated the interaction of folic acid fortification and folate metabolic genes on the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Because folate status is influenced by both intake and genetic variation, the objective of this study was to explore maternal folate metabolic gene-folic acid fortification interactions and the risk of childhood ALL. The study population consisted of 120 ALL case-parent triads recruited from Texas Children's Cancer Center between 2003 and 2010. For this analysis, we focused on 13 maternal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR). Prefortification was defined as delivery before January 1997 and postfortification as delivery in or after January 1997. We used a two-step approach to evaluate gene-environment interactions. First, a case-only approach was used, as this design provides greater power in the assessment of gene-environment interactions compared to other approaches. Second, we confirmed all statistically significant interactions using a log-linear approach among case-parent triads. Only one of 13 interactions evaluated was confirmed in step 2. Specifically, mothers with the minor allele of MTR rs1804742 and who delivered during the prefortification period were at a greater risk of having a child with ALL (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 0.82-2.88), compared to those mothers who delivered during the postfortification period (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.22-2.99, P for interaction = .03). In one of the few studies to evaluate maternal folate metabolic genotype-folic acid interactions, we found limited evidence that the maternal MTR rs1804742 appeared to interact with higher folic acid levels to influence childhood ALL risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Lupo
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Padmanabhan N, Watson ED. Lessons from the one-carbon metabolism: passing it along to the next generation. Reprod Biomed Online 2013; 27:637-43. [PMID: 24139597 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Revised: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
During development, a fetus and its placenta must respond to a changing maternal environment to ensure normal growth is achieved and survival is maintained. The mechanisms behind developmental programming involve complex interactions between epigenetic and physiological processes, which are not well understood. Importantly, when programming goes awry, it puts the fetus at risk for disease later in life and may, in some instances, affect subsequent generations via epigenetic processes including DNA methylation. The one-carbon metabolism, which includes the folate, methionine and choline pathways, provides methyl groups necessary for DNA methylation and a normal epigenetic landscape. Accordingly, disruptions in this pathway affect placental development and function leading to altered fetal programming. Remarkably, recent studies have revealed that abnormal folate metabolism causes transgenerational effects probably through epigenetic inheritance. The epigenetic mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not well understood but they have important implications for the influence of the metabolic environment on epigenetic stability and non-genetic inheritance of disease. Importantly, there are increasing concerns that assisted reproductive technologies cause aberrant epigenetic profiles in embryos leading to abnormal fetal programming. How the negative epigenetic consequences of assisted reproduction treatment affect subsequent generations requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Padmanabhan
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Physiological Laboratories, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
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