LANGERHANS CELL HISTIOCYTOSIS - AN EXPLORATORY EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY OF177 CASES

There is little information available regarding epidemiologic risk fac tors for Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). An exploratory investiga tion was conducted using information obtained from parents of 177 case s of LCH diagnosed before 21 years of age (median 2 years). Utilizing data available from the Children's Cancer Group, LCH cases were compar ed to two matched control groups including 614 patients diagnosed with a variety of childhood cancers and 318 community controls. Questionna ire data included information on demographics, prenatal and perinatal factors, complications in the neonatal period, environmental exposures , family medical history, and childhood exposures. Factors found to be statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of LCH included: maternal urinary tract infection during the index pregnancy feeding problems during infancy, and blood transfusions during infancy . Use of supplemental vitamins was associated with a significantly dec reased risk of LCH. Results from th is exploratory study provide a bas is for speculation on potential etiologic risk factors for LCH. Future epidemiologic investigations of LCH need to consider the presenting d isease characteristics in assessing possible etiologic factors. (C) 19 97 Wiley-Liss, Inc.