Breast feeding and the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Mosul : a case control study

Abstract EN

Context : leukemia is the most common malignancy in childhood ; many studies were conducted to explore the probable protective effect of breast feeding on childhood leukemia.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of breast on the development of childhood leukemia.

Methods : A case control design was conducted at the hematology unit ; Ibn Alatheer pediatrics hospital in Mosul city.

A total of 71 children diagnosed to have acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 70 children diagnosed to have diseases other than malignancy were included in the study as cases and controls respectively.

SPSS and excel computer programs, chi squared test and Z test of two proportions, were used in statistical analysis.

Results : The present study observed a protective association between breast feeding and the risk of childhood leukemia (OR = 0.2, P < 0.05).

Moreover, the study showed increased risk of leukemia among children exposed to explosions near their residency (OR = 3.9, P < 0.001).

Conclusions : Breast feeding might have a vital protective effect against childhood leukemia.

On the other hand, exposure to explosive materials might carry a high risk for developing leukemia.