ANALYSIS OF RISK-FACTORS IN A CLUSTER OF CHILDHOOD ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC-LEUKEMIA

A case-control investigation of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia was conducted in the town of Carbonia (Sardinia, Italy). Parents of 9 eases diagnosed between 1980 and 1989 and 36 controls were interviewe d at their respective residences. None of the risk factors analyzed wa s associated significantly with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia . The following were associated with an increased risk for childhood a cute lymphoblastic leukemia: parents born outside of Carbonia, family history of cancer, alcohol consumption by fathers that exceeded 60 g/d , exposure of fathers to solvents at their workplaces, maternal smokin g, use of antinausea meditations during pregnancy, and presence of a w ell in the backyard. Chance and recall bias likely played a role in ge nerating positive associations. The increases in childhood leukemia ri sk associated with the presence of a well and with use of antinausea m edications during pregnancy are consistent with previous reports and r equire further investigation.