J. Schuz et al., High birth weight and other risk factors for Wilms tumour: results of a population-based case-central study, EUR J PED, 160(6), 2001, pp. 333-338
Wilms tumour, or nephroblastoma, is one of the childhood cancers included i
n two recent population-based case-control studies in West Germany. Altoget
her, 177 children under the age of 10 years with Wilms tumour diagnosed bet
ween 1988 and 1994 and 2006 control children sampled from population regist
ration files participated. Information on potential risk factors was obtain
ed from the parents using a questionnaire and by subsequent telephone inter
view. We found an association with a high birth weight >4000 g (odds ratio
1.58; 95% confidence interval 1.01-2.48), which was somewhat stronger for c
hildren aged 2 years or older. Findings for young maternal age at birth and
certain parental occupationally related exposures were not reported by pre
vious studies and thus may be chance findings. As opposed to previous studi
es, we failed to confirm associations with high parental age at birth, mate
rnal coffee and tea consumption during pregnancy, and exposure to pesticide
s.
Conclusion Based on this large population-based case-control study, high bi
rth weight may play a role in the aetiology of Wilms tumour, but many risk
factors previously suggested are of less importance.