Summary:
The etiology of childhood leukemia remains unclear.Regarding the role of diet
in the emergence of this disease,there is a limited number of studies
investigating this relationship, while there were no similar Greek studies
performed to Greek pediatric population.
In this study,data from NARECHEM were used in order to investigate the possible
relationship of diet with the risk of childhood leukemia.The first study
investigated maternal diet during pregnancy and the risk of early childhood
(1-4 years) leukemogenesis,while the second study investigated the role of
childhood diet in leukemogenesis at ages 5-14 years.Additionally, a systematic
review and meta-analysis of the results of each eligible study was conducted.
The analysis showed an inverse association for maternal intake of
fruits,vegetables and fish/seafood and aggravating for sugar/syrups and
meat/meat products regarding childhood ALL.Additionally,high childhood intake
of added fat was associated with increased risk of childhood leukemia,while the
consumption of milk/dairy products with a reduced risk.
Furthermore,the meta-analysis seems to confirm the protective role of increased
maternal fruit and vegetable consumption,while increased intake of hot
dogs/lunch meat by children was aggravating.
Nevertheless,these results are quite precarious due to small number of
investigations performed and also to different statistical models used;
so,further studies are required.
Keywords:
Diet, Childhood leukemia, Food group, Child, Pregnancy
