The role of nutritional habits during gestation and child life in pediatric brain tumor etiology

Our aim was to evaluate the role of maternal nutritional habits during the period of gestation and of children subsequent diet in the etiology of pedi atric brain tumors. All cases of incident nervous system tumors under age 1 8, diagnosed between 1984 and 1993 (n = 300) in Israel were identified, Two matched population controls per case were selected (n = 574). Personal int erviews, using a semi-quantified three-step food frequency questionnaire, w ere performed. Univariate analysis showed that increased child consumption of vegetable fat [p trend 0.01; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-3.2], carb ohydrates (p trend 0.05; CI 1.0-5.9), and vitamin E (p trend 0.05; CI 1.0-3 .3), were significantly associated with brain tumor risk. No associations w ere found with nitrate, nitrite or vitamin C. A significant positive associ ation with potassium consumption (p trend 0.01; CI 1.1-3.7) was noted durin g gestation. Results of multivariate analysis showed that the only persisti ng associations were with vegetable fat (OR = 1.36; CI 1.06-1.73) in the ch ild diet and potassium intake during gestation (OR = 1.44; CI 1.04-1.99). I n conclusion, nutritional associations with pediatric brain tumor etiology, remain unsubstantiated. Int. J. Cancer 86: 139-143, 2000, (C) 2000 Wiley-L iss, Inc.